A rapist who dodged a sentencing hearing at court has been found on the run in Essex and is now in police custody.
Police launched a hunt for William White after he failed to turn up to his sentencing where he was jailed for five-and-a-half years.
The 24-year-old was found guilty of raping a woman as she slept after a party in his east London home during a “horrifying ordeal”.
But the convicted rapist failed to appear at his sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday, prompting the Met Police to launch an urgent search to find him.
Following a media appeal, White was found in Clacton, Essex, on Thursday by officers from the Met’s Central East Command Predatory Offender Unit.
He will appear at a local magistrates’ court before being taken to prison to begin his sentence, Scotland Yard said.
White was found guilty on Friday, May 19, after a nine day trial which saw the survivor give evidence.
She bravely faced her attacker in court, describing how she had gone to White’s address in Hackney with a friend for a social gathering in January 2020.
She told the jury how she had trusted White, having already known him through friends.
After falling asleep she later woke to find White raping her. She reported the sex attack to police two days later.
DC Jamie Merrill, the investigating officer, said: “White subjected the victim to a horrifying ordeal when she was asleep and vulnerable.
“Throughout the trial he attempted to mislead the court about his actions, but the 12 men and women of the jury correctly identified his dishonesty and convicted him unanimously of rape.
“I hope that the sentence handed down will bring a small measure of peace to the victim and a sense that justice has been served.”
PC Rita Stepanoviene, a specialist officer who worked on the case supporting the survivor, added: “I wish to thank this young lady and her close friend who came forward to provide the crucial evidence needed to convict White.
“They have both been incredibly brave, and by coming forward they have undoubtedly protected others from being targeted by this dangerous individual.”
