by 
A player from the Papuan-Nouvelle-Guinée rugby league accused of rape fled the United Kingdom within five hours of his indictment, a court heard.
Keven Appo, who played for Bradford Bulls, received a conditional deposit at 4 p.m. on November 26, said Bradford magistrates.
At 8:40 p.m. that evening, he went on a flight to Dubai from Manchester before taking a connection flight to his country of origin.
An arrest warrant has now been issued for the 25 -year -old, accused of rape, sexual assault and assault. The accusations concern an investigation by the adult protection team in the Calderdale district following a report made in April of last year.
Prosecutor Fiona Newcombe told court that an extradition process was underway to return Mr. Appo to the United Kingdom, the BBC reported. He was to appear for a court in court on Monday morning.
He had published his house and car keys to the director of the rugby club, Ms. Newcombe told court. She said that the authorities would now work with the Papua Nouvelle-Guinea police to extradite it.
Mr. Appo joined Bradford Bulls in 2023 and made 61 appearances for the West Yorkshire Club. He joined after the Papua New Guinea reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby League World Cup in 2022 and was dismissed after being accused of offenses.
In a statement, the club previously declared that it had “canceled Keven Appo’s game contract”.
A West Yorkshire police spokesman said: “We know that the magistrates have issued an arrest warrant against a 25-year-old Halifax man who was to appear before the court today accused of rape, sexual assault and assault. “
