Rapist who fled from Rugby to Ghana brought back to the UK to face justice

Ransford Buabeng, 34, formally of Morris Close, Rugby, fled the country in September 2016 while on court bail while awaiting trial.

In his absence, he was convicted of raping a 15-year-old girl following a trial at Warwick Crown Court in December 2016.

Buabeng and another man plied the girl with alcohol before raping her in Rugby in September 2012.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A joint investigation by officers from Warwickshire Police CID and the National Crime Agency (NCA) found he had returned to his home country of Ghana.

He was arrested by police in Ghana in May 2019 and on 7 November Ghanaian courts agreed to extradite him to the UK.

Detective Sergeant Gareth Unett, PC Ian McLeod, and Detective Constable Jim Middleton from Warwickshire Police, collected him from Ghana yesterday (Monday 10 February).

At Warwick Crown Court today (Tuesday February 11) Buabeng was told he must serve an extra six months for breach of bail, in addition to the 10 year sentence.

The 264 days he served in custody in Ghana will be taken off his sentence.

Detective Sergeant Gareth Unett from Warwickshire Police Serious and Complex Crime Team said: “After more than three years on the run Ransford Buabeng has finally faced justice and is in jail where he belongs.

“We’re especially pleased for his victim who showed great bravery in coming to police and giving evidence in court. While I’m sure she will never fully get over her ordeal I hope seeing

Buabeng behind bars gives her some form of closure.

“This case should send a warning to other criminals that justice knows no borders and we will work tirelessly to track you down wherever you are.

“I would like to thank the NCA international team and officials in Ghana who helped in locating him and ensuring his extradition.”