A CONVICTED rapist on the run for more than six weeks is starting his jail sentence.

Jason Vincent Longhurst failed to attend his trial but it went ahead in his absence.

When he appeared before York Crown Court on a bench warrant, the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, told him he had been convicted of rape and attempted strangulation of a teenager with intent to rape her.

He had also been given a nine-year prison sentence.

Longhurst, 44, of Lindsey Avenue, York, showed no reaction to the news.

He pleaded guilty to failure to attend York Crown Court on September 6, the second time in three weeks he had failed to attend court.

His case was adjourned for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if it wants to apply for a sexual harm prevention order which would curb his behaviour upon release.

A woman in the public gallery cried as he was taken down to start serving his nine-year sentence.

A judge will decide on November 9 how much extra he will serve for not attending his trial and whether he should be made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Longhurst will be on the sex offenders register for life.

North Yorkshire Police said after the hearing he had been arrested in East Yorkshire and thanked everyone who had helped in their search for him.

In September, a York Crown Court jury heard how Longhurst, had throttled a teenager in York until she blacked out and then raped her many years ago.

He had been released from prison from a sentence for driving offences hours earlier and was on prison licence at the time.

The jury heard medical evidence supporting the victim’s account that she had been throttled and heard from witnesses who heard the victim scream during the rape and saw Longhurst flee the house where it happened.

Jailing Longhurst for nine years, Recorder Mariga Mostafa said the rape had had a “catastrophic effect” on the victim and praised her courage and the way she had given evidence. In a personal statement, the victim said: “I cannot put into words how much this has ruined my life.”

While the trial was in progress, police began their search for Longhurst, the second time they had had to find him after he failed to attend court.

On August 16, Longhurst had been due to appear before York Magistrates Court charged with driving whilst disqualified and other driving offences.

When he didn't attend, a warrant was signed for his arrest. It was executed in Wales on September 1.

Cardiff magistrates bailed him on conditions. including a curfew at his address in Lindsey Avenue. But when police went there on the first day of his trial - and that night when he should have been at home observing the curfew - no-one answered the door.