THE police search to find a suspect charged over a serious rape incident in Warrington town centre has moved towards international leads.

Jafar Mohammed is wanted by Cheshire Police in connection with a breach of crown court bail.

The 33-year-old, of Manchester Road, was charged in February with two counts of rape and five counts of sexual assault.

A hearing at Liverpool Crown Court last Friday determined him to still be on the run and an ‘extensive search’ is ongoing, with lines of inquiries taking place in Germany where it is believed he has relatives.

The charges Jafar Mohammed is currently facing are in relation to an incident that took place on September 9 and reportedly occurred on Buttermarket Street.

Police officers attended the scene after receiving reports of a ‘serious sexual assault’ of a teenager.

Prosecuting, Olivia Beesley addressed the absence of the accused in the hearing.

She said: “It is suspected that he has left the country. He was last seen in the Kent area on March 3.”

“He was residing in an asylum seeker accommodation at Paddington House. He arrived in the UK on May 31.”

Ms Beesley said the police are ‘content’ in trying to locate Jafar prior to the trial and there is no current intention to proceed with a trial in absence.

It was detailed that Jafar has family in Germany which is where the police’s current lines of inquiry are taking place.

Concluding, the Judge said: “He was last seen heading down the M20 to Dover. Last believed to be in Kent.

“We shall review the situation on August 11.”