Rugby player charged with rape flees country

Keven Appo fled the country within five hours of being granted bail, a court heard

A rugby league player who was charged with rape, sexual assault and two counts of assault has fled to his home country of Papua New Guinea.

Keven Appo, 25, who played for Bradford Bulls, was given conditional bail at 16:00 GMT on 26 November, Bradford Magistrates' Court heard on Monday.

By 20:40 GMT that evening Mr Appo had boarded a flight to Dubai from Manchester Airport and subsequently arrived in Papua New Guinea via a connecting flight.

Prosecutor Fiona Newcombe told the court an extradition process was now under way to return Mr Appo to the United Kingdom to face the charges against him.

Mr Appo had been due to appear for a hearing at the court on Monday morning.

He had given his house and car keys to the manager of the rugby club, Ms Newcombe told the court.

She said authorities would now work with police in Papua New Guinea to extradite him.

Mr Appo, of Halifax, was sacked by Bradford Bulls after he was charged with the offences.

In a statement the club previously said it had "cancelled Keven Appo's playing contract".

Papua New Guinea international Mr Appo played at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, which was held in England.

He joined the Bulls as a forward in 2023, before signing a new two-year deal in August last year.

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