A RAPIST who disappeared before his trial to escape justice is believed to have had a second passport he could have used to flee the country.

Joseph Tsang, also known as Joey, failed to turn up on the first day of his trial for raping a 15-year-old girl in a hotel room but was convicted in his absence at Oxford Crown Court.

Police believe the 31-year-old amateur ice skater could have fled to Hong Kong, where it is rumoured his mum and family now live.

The Oxford Mail revealed yesterday how Tsang was released from court on bail in January and ordered to surrender his passport.

Although police confirmed his British passport was seized, spokesman James Williams yesterday said officers now believe he may have had dual-nationality.

He added: “We have his British passport but there is intelligence to suggest he may also have a Chinese passport.”

The force has widened the search for Tsang to London, where it is also believed he has links to the Charing Cross area.

Tsang was convicted in January of making indecent images of children, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three counts of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Patrick Eccles suspended sentencing Tsang and granted him conditional bail with a 10pm to 7am electronically monitored curfew.

But when the former Oxford Brookes graduate failed to turn up on the first day of his second trial on August 17, the judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

The IT specialist was found guilty in his absence on Tuesday of two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault by penetration by a majority jury verdict.

Neighbours near the terraced two-storey house in Sandy Lane, Oxford, where Tsang lived, said he was spotted filling a skip with rubbish in the weeks leading up to his trial.

The Oxford Mail reported last year that prior to his trial, Tsang’s bail conditions were varied and his passport temporarily returned so he could conduct a business transaction in Hong Kong.

Police are appealing for any information about the 5ft 7ins, slim, clean-shaven man, who has short black hair and is known to wear glasses and earrings in both ears.

It is believed he has access to a black Suzuki Swift BV07 VEL. Tsang is due to be sentenced on September 22.