Child rapist who went on run jailed for 19 years

A man who raped a child and subjected her to "despicable acts" of abuse before going on the run has been jailed for nearly 20 years.

Alexander Sherwood left Rotherham after hearing he was wanted by South Yorkshire Police, but was tracked down by police in Liverpool.

The 52-year-old of Stanley Road, Liverpool, was found guilty of 12 sexual offences at Sheffield Crown Court in February.

Sherwood was sentenced on Monday to 19 years in prison and handed an indefinite restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order at the same court.

Police praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward.

Det Sgt Fiona Trussell said: "The bravery of the victim in this case must be commended, it takes a lot of courage to report something of this nature.

"No child should ever be a victim of sexual assault and rape and I hope that this result shows others survivors of abuse that when they come forward, they will be listened to and treated with respect through every step of the prosecution process."

Sherwood was found guilty of four counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration, two counts of assault by touching, one charge of engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child and one count of causing a child to watch/look at an image of a sexual nature.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

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