Oxford – Police praise bravery of small boat rapist victim

Salam Karis, 35, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after an incident at a towpath near Hythe Bridge Street on January 19, 2014.

The court heard he fled the country after being granted bail, and only returned to the UK in a small boat from Iraq in July last year.

He was convicted by a jury of three counts of rape at a trial earlier this year of raping the woman after they had been at The Bridge Nightclub and Anuba.

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Salam Karis (Image: TVP)

After the sentencing, investigating officer detective sergeant Pete Warne said: “This was an appalling attack by Karis, and I am pleased that he has finally faced justice after fleeing the country.

“This conviction demonstrates our determination to pursue offenders, regardless of how much time has elapsed, and shows that attempts to evade justice will not succeed.

“We pay tribute to the victim, whose courage and resilience in continuing to support the investigation and give evidence in court has been instrumental in securing this conviction.”

During the sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb said: “12 years ago, in the dark and in the rain on a towpath by the canal, you raped the victim.

“It’s clear the impact on her has been devastating. You ran away to escape the consequences of your crimes.”

Karis was jailed for 13 years and given an indefinite restraining order to not contact the victim.

He was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life.