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Crimewatch rapist traced to US Crimewatch rapist traced to US
(30 minutes later)
A rapist traced to the United States following an appeal about an attack in south Wales on BBC One's Crimewatch has been jailed for five years.A rapist traced to the United States following an appeal about an attack in south Wales on BBC One's Crimewatch has been jailed for five years.
Alexander Burns, 49, from Glasgow, was traced to Montana after his face was broadcast on the TV programme.Alexander Burns, 49, from Glasgow, was traced to Montana after his face was broadcast on the TV programme.
Swansea Crown Court heard that he fled the country after raping a woman in a village near Port Talbot in 2005.Swansea Crown Court heard that he fled the country after raping a woman in a village near Port Talbot in 2005.
He was arrested by border police in the US and returned to the UK, where he has already spent 262 days in custody.He was arrested by border police in the US and returned to the UK, where he has already spent 262 days in custody.
Burns had denied raping the woman at her home on 31 October 2005 but was found guilty by a jury at an earlier trial.
The court heard he had met his victim over the internet a short time before attacking her.
What initially started out as a local investigation of a serious crime turned out to be an international investigation Det Insp Mark Lewis
He was first arrested in the Newcastle area in 2006 but disappeared after being released on bail.
The officer who led the investigation, Det Insp Mark Lewis of South Wales Police, said: "All normal lines on inquiry became negative so we took the decision to put Burns's face on the wanted faces section of the Crimewatch programme.
"We had some calls - two or three suggested that he might have fled to the United States of America."
Det Insp Lewis said the American authorities were able to confirm that was the case and an arrest warrant was issued.
"In December last year he was arrested travelling in the Montana area of the US trying to cross the border with Canada," he added.
"He was deported back to the UK, arrested and subsequently charged with rape.
"It was a challenging investigation. What initially started out as a local investigation of a serious crime turned out to be an international investigation.
"It's a good example of how law enforcement agencies around the world can work together."