28
August 2019
Magistrates freed alleged rapist because no
interpreter was available - and now he's on the run
An alleged rapist wanted for breaching his
bail is on the run again after magistrates freed him because they couldn't find
an interpreter.
Halwest Muradi, who
is accused of raping a woman in her 20s in St Botolph's Church Walk,
Colchester, in November, was granted bail by Colchester magistrates last month
and was due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court today (Wednesday August 28) for a
plea hearing.
However the court
heard today that 24-year-old Muradi had breached his bail conditions, which
included a curfew at his home in Victoria Gardens, Colchester, and had been
arrested earlier this month after being found in the back of an Amazon van in
Kent allegedly attempting to "steal away".
Jane Oldfeld,
prosecuting , said that following his arrest in Kent Muradi appeared before
magistrates for breaching his bail but was released because they couldn't find
an interpreter.
"They took the
view that as they couldn't find an interpreter they couldn't deal with the
breach of bail," said Miss Oldfield.
Judge David Pugh said
Muradi was accused of a stranger rape and he found it " utterly
extraordinary" that he had been released. [...]
