AN INTERNATIONAL arrest warrant is being drawn up as part of the manhunt for a convicted rapist who is on the run.

Joseph Tsang fled on the eve of his trial and was convicted by a jury at Oxford Crown Court in his absence of raping and sexually assaulting a schoolgirl.

The 31-year-old was on bail at the time after being convicted at an earlier trial at the same court in January for a number of sexual offences.

However, the amateur ice skater broke his electronically tagged curfew and fled his home in Sandy Lane, Oxford, sparking an international manhunt.

Police leading the investigation believe he may have dual-nationality and family in Hong Kong.

However, Kim Preston, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday that while Interpol is drawing up an international arrest warrant, Tsang’s exact location is unknown.

She added: “He certainly left the country about a week before trial and it is our understanding that he might be in another jurisdiction.

“Matters are proceeding in trying to issue an international arrest warrant.”

Judge Christopher Eccles agreed to sentence Tsang in his absence but a date has not been confirmed.