A rapist who fled to Nigeria to avoid justice has been arrested at Heathrow airport after 12 years on the run.

Onimisi Seidu will be sentenced next month after finally admitting the child sex charges which date back 17 years.

The 47-year-old, who was then living in Walderslade, was expected to turn up at Maidstone Crown Court for his trial in June 2007.

But Judge Adele Williams heard he breached his bail by going to Lagos in Nigeria to look after his sick mother.

Defence barrister Craig Evans said Seidu claimed he wrote to the court saying it was his intention to plead guilty. He was arrested last week when he was spotted flying in and arrested on the outstanding warrant.

Now he has pleaded guilty to four charges of rape involving a child from 2002.

Prosecutor Daniel Stevenson told the court the victim had spoken with police and wished to make a statement about the effects on her of his vile crimes.

Seidu, who also admitted breaching bail, was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing in May.

Detective Constable Ally Smith, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: ‘The victim has had to wait a huge amount of time for justice and I am pleased that we have finally been able to secure it.

"The offences Seidu committed were horrendous and traumatising for the victim. He is now safely in custody where he is unable to cause further harm."

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