Leeds Rape case focus now on Slovakia LATEST

POLICE were today continuing to work on the extradition of a man arrested in Slovakia in connection with the rape and attempted murder of an 18-year-old woman in Leeds.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Jun 2015, 09:58 BST
Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, who is leading the investigation, pictured at the scene in Beeston. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe.Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, who is leading the investigation, pictured at the scene in Beeston. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Detective Superintendent Nick Wallen, who is leading the investigation, pictured at the scene in Beeston. Pic: Jonathan Gawthorpe.

As reported in yesterday’s Yorkshire Evening Post, the 21-year-old Slovakian national was detained after detectives in West Yorkshire secured a European Arrest Warrant.

West Yorkshire Police said on Thursday that they would be “pursuing the legal process” with the aim of getting the man to the UK so he can be charged.

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However, he has to be brought before a Slovakian court ahead of any extradition and yesterday it was not clear when that appearance would be.

The man’s arrest in the Kosice area of eastern Slovakia on Thursday came three months after the attack in Beeston.

Speaking on Thursday, West Yorkshire Police’s Det Supt Nick Wallen, who is leading the investigation into the incident, said: “The European Arrest Warrant process requires that police forces are in a position to charge any suspect they are seeking.

“To that end we consulted the Crown Prosecution Service before applying to a district judge at Leeds Magistrates Court for the European Arrest Warrant.

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“Once the warrant was granted, we liaised with the Slovakian police through the National Crime Agency to secure the arrest of this man. We are very grateful to the Slovakian authorities for their assistance.”

More than 100 officers have been involved in the investigation into the attack, which happened on the evening of March 6.

The victim was standing at a bus stop on Beeston Road when she was grabbed and dragged into a nearby garden.

She was battered with a rock and raped before her assailant walked away.