A 34-year-old man has been sent to prison for an attempted rape and robbery he committed nine years ago.

Clinton Colwell fled to South Africa while on police bail after he attacked a 40-year-old woman in Biggin Hill in May 1998.

He was traced by detectives who searched his flat, in Chatterton Road, Bromley, and found an unused South African Airways ticket.

They also discovered letters that appeared to be written to Colwell’s girlfriend stating that he had "committed a crime" and "attacked and robbed a female last night".

He attacked his victim in Polesteeple Hill as she returned home from work shortly after midnight on the morning of Thursday, May 28, 1998.

He robbed her of a £10 note and was interrupted in the attempted rape by a passing car.

Police arrested Colwell near the scene but he later jumped bail and fled the country.

He was extradited from South Africa in April this year when officers from Bromley Police CID attended and brought him back to the UK.

At a plea and case management hearing in July 2007 at Croydon Crown Court Colwell pled guilty to robbery, but denied the charge of attempted rape.

On the first day of his trial at Croydon Crown Court, on October 9, Colwell changed his plea and pled guilty to attempted rape. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment for this offence, sentenced to four years imprisonment for the robbery and was recommended for deportation when the sentence has been served. A charge of indecent assault was ordered to remain on file.