A convicted child rapist who fled the UK in a bid to evade justice has been jailed for 13 years after being tracked down in France and extradited to face trial.

Ako Hawla, 26, groomed a 13-year-old girl from west Kent online before luring her to his flat in Frobisher Road, Erith, where he subjected her to repeated sexual abuse in June 2019.

When patrols searching for the missing child traced her to Hawla’s address, he attempted to cover up his crimes by instructing her to lie about her age and tell officers she was simply “sleeping on his couch”.

Hawla, who was 19 at the time of the offences, had convinced the victim he was also a juvenile despite knowing her true age.

He was arrested at the scene and bailed while police continued their investigation, but later fled the country.

In April 2024, Hawla was finally tracked down in France and returned to the UK under a European Arrest Warrant.

At Woolwich Crown Court, he was found guilty of rape, five further sexual offences, and child abduction. On 14 August 2025, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison and made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Detective Constable Kim Bashford, of the investigating team, said:

“Hawla exploited a child’s trust in the most sinister and deplorable way. He struck up conversations through social media apps and after meeting her in person subjected her to a truly terrifying ordeal.

Having successfully pursued Hawla into Europe, it is really pleasing that we have now been able to finally ensure he has faced justice. I hope the victim can start to feel safer and rebuild her life now that he is in prison.”

DC Bashford urged parents to remain vigilant over children’s use of social media:

“Children should only communicate with people they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to parents, schools or the police.”