British alleged rapist arrested in West Cork town

An alleged rapist, once listed as one of Lancashire’s “most wanted” men, has been arrested in a West Cork town having been on the run for more than a decade.

Andrew Roper is now facing the possibility of extradition to Britain, having been arrested in Clonakilty on Wednesday, June 17, on foot of a European arrest warrant issued by the British authorities.

Mr Roper worked as a taxi driver in Britain, but it is understood that he had been working in retail while he lived in the Clonakilty area.

Mr Roper, who is in his early 40s, was arrested in Britain in July 2001 after police in Blackpool received a complaint of an alleged rape from a 22-year-old local woman. He was questioned and then charged in relation to the incident, which is said to have taken place in May 2000.

He was due to appear in Preston Crown Court in April 2002, but failed to show up. A warrant was then issued for his arrest.

Police in Kent later wanted to speak with him in relation to an assault causing actual bodily harm which allegedly took place on November 9, 2005.

His disappearance led to an appeal from the UK Crimestoppers, who listed him as one of Britain’s most wanted men in 2006.

“Since Roper failed to attend at Preston Crown Court, he has not been seen and we have been unable to locate his whereabouts,” said Detective Inspector Tony Conboye of Blackpool Police’s Criminal Investigation Department at the time of the appeal.

Mr Roper’s application for bail was refused by the High Court last Tuesday, and his extradition case is now due before the court again on June 30.