A Papua New Guinea rugby league player accused of rape fled the UK within five hours of being charged, a court has heard.
Keven Appo, who played for Bradford Bulls, was released on bail at 4pm on November 26, Bradford magistrates said.
At 8.40pm that evening he boarded a flight to Dubai from Manchester before taking a connecting flight back to his home country.
An arrest warrant has now been issued for the 25-year-old, accused of rape, sexual assault and assault. The charges relate to an investigation by the Calderdale District Adult Safeguarding Team following a report written in April last year.
Prosecutor Fiona Newcombe told the court that extradition proceedings were underway to return Mr Appo to the UK, the BBC reported. He was due to appear in court Monday morning.
He had given the keys to his house and car to the rugby club manager, Ms Newcombe told the court. She said authorities would now work with Papua New Guinea police to extradite him.
Mr Appo joined the Bradford Bulls in 2023 and made 61 appearances for the West Yorkshire club. He joined the team after Papua New Guinea reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 Rugby World Cup and was sacked after being charged with the offences.
In a statement, the club previously said it had “canceled Keven Appo’s playing contract”.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “We are aware that magistrates have issued an arrest warrant for a 25-year-old man from Halifax who was due to appear in court today on charges of rape, sexual assault and assault. »