Police are hunting for a sex offender who fled court moments before he was found guilty of raping a child.

Tariq Javed, 37, of Aspinall Street, Rusholme , absconded from Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday, February 29.

Javed was found guilty in his absence of eight counts of sexual activity with a child under the age of 13.

A sentence date was arranged for March 21, 2016 and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Javed is known to have links with the Stockport and Manchester areas of Greater Manchester.

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Greater Manchester Police believe Javed might try and flee the UK.

Detective Inspector Ian Cottrell said: “Javed has been convicted of incredibly serious offences committed against children.

“He is thought to be a flight risk and warnings have been put in place at ports and airports to ensure he does not escape the country, but faces punishment for his atrocious crimes.

“I would like to make very clear that anyone found to be sheltering Javed will face arrest and prosecution.”

In 2014 Greater Manchester Police issued a public alert to catch Javed.

At the time Det Con Steve Rothery said: “Javed is a wanted for a serious sexual assault and does pose a risk to the public. I would ask that the public do not approach him, but immediately contact police if they do see him.”

Anyone with information of Javed’s whereabouts is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.