Man accused of Telford child rapes left the country
A man spent over three years out of the country when police wanted to talk to him regarding allegations of rape and sexual activity with a child in Telford.
Matthew Shearan, 43, of no fixed abode, appeared for trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday, facing nine charges.
He denies four charges of sexual assaulting a child, two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and three charges of rape of a child.
Opening the trial, prosecutor Richard Orme told the court the offences happened in Telford.
Mr Orme said a member of the staff at the victim's school was concerned about her, adding she was not taking care of herself.
It was on that occasion that the alleged abuse was disclosed to the member of staff, prompting social services and the police to be informed.
Mr Orme added that when the investigation began Shearan had left the country.
Shearan was in contact with his mother, and told his mother he was not going to return, and that he couldn't think why the police wanted to speak to him.
A wanted marker was put on him by police, alerting the UK border agency when he attempted to return to the country.
Shearan returned to the UK on December 10, 2016 from Portugal, and was arrested by Essex police and held in custody at Stansted Airport, before being handed over to West Mercia Police.
In interview he denied all the alleged offences.
He told police he was not aware they were trying to contact him, which Mr Orme described to the court as "nonsense".
Shearan said in his interview he had taken a ferry from Plymouth to France in May 2013, and hitch hiked and relied on help from passers-by to fund him.
Mr Orme said Shearan was in regular contact with his parents for the three-and-a-half years he was out of the country.
The trial continues.
