POLICE hunting a rapist who fled on the eve of his trial say they have been left frustrated by the court’s decision to grant him bail in the first place.

An international manhunt was launched after Joseph Tsang broke his electronically-tagged bail the night before he was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court for the start of his trial.

The 31-year-old was found guilty by a jury in his absence of two counts of raping and two counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 16.

Amateur ice skater Tsang, of Sandy Lane, Oxford, was previously granted bail after being convicted of a number of sexual offences at the same court in January.

Although Thames Valley Police seized Tsang’s British passport, it is believed he could have fled the country to Hong Kong – where his sister and family lives – on a Chinese or fake passport.

Buit, following a tip-off, the force have widened the search to London, where it is also believed he has links to the Charing Cross area.

But Detective Chief Inspector Katy Barrow-Grint said the force was frustrated the high-risk sex offender was granted bail.

She added: “It is frustrating that he was not remanded into custody in the first place, but there was nothing to suggest he wasn’t going to attend. But we have to deal with the consequences. We are concerned he could be travelling on a stolen or fake passport. Even if he has a dual-passport under his Chinese name of Kit Yee, he is more likely to be travelling on a fake passport. “ In a Facebook post in the week leading up to his trial Tsang, also known as Joey, put his iPhone 6 up for sale, and neighbours reported seeing him filling up a skip outside his home.

DCI Barrow-Grint believes his escape was pre-planned and warned friends and family not to commit a crime by harbouring the escaped criminal.

The force is heading an international operation to find Tsang, working with Interpol and the National Crime Agency.

However, DCI Barrow-Grint fears serial sex attacker Tsang might strike again while on the run.

She said: “He is a high risk sex offender – rape, sexual assault and possessing indecent images. He is a risk to the public, there is every chance he will offend again which absolutely makes it more important we find him.

“He is convicted of rape – he needs to be in prison, not on the run.”

DCI Barrow-Grint warned the public not to approach Tsang if they see him, but to call 999 immediately.