A MAN who orally raped a sex worker at knifepoint in Bradford before going on the run for more than three years has been jailed.

Miroslav Cicak, who was the focus of an appeal on the television show Crimewatch, was arrested last year in Germany shortly after a European Arrest Warrant was issued.

Today, the Slovakian national was sentenced to eight years in prison for the offence, which occurred in the Girlington area of the city in April 2014.

The 24-year-old was also made to sign on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life following a sentencing hearing today.

After the hearing, detectives thanked everyone who helped them track down Cicak, adding that the case sent a clear message that police would “pursue dangerous criminals all over the world” and bring them back to face justice.

Cicak was found guilty in March this year following a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He approached his victim in the early hours of April 7, 2014 and engaged her in conversation before walking with her to a car park, where he asked her for sex.

But when she asked him for money, he pulled out a knife and demanded oral sex.

He then allowed her to walk away afterwards.

Cicak was identified as a suspect and extensive enquiries were made to locate him, including a wanted appeal on the television show Crimewatch.

Further enquiries suggested he may have fled the country.

In August 2017, a European Arrest Warrant was issued.

Cicak was arrested in Germany a short time later and brought back to the UK in September last year, where he was charged and remanded in custody after appearing before Leeds magistrates.

He will now serve his sentence before being deported back to Slovakia.

Detective Constable Simon Wilcock, of the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit, said: “Today’s outcome brings a successful conclusion to a lengthy investigation and I would like to thank everyone who helped us to locate Cicak.

“I hope this will give his victim some closure to her terrible ordeal and allow her to move forward with her life.

“I also hope this sends out a message that we will do all that we can to pursue dangerous criminals all over the world and bring them back before the UK courts to face justice for their crimes.”