Rapist fled within '90 seconds'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/8339780.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A convicted double rapist who was taken to the Pakistan High Commission in west London escaped within 90 seconds, a senior diplomat has said.

Consul general Nafees Zakaria said CCTV footage showed Imtiaz Hussain, 44, was not cuffed and was escorted by a single guard when he entered the building.

Mr Zakaria, who accused immigration officers of "slackness", has complained to the Foreign Office and Home Office.

The UK Border Agency said it never commented on operational issues.

However it would say that the police were alerted immediately about Hussain's escape, which happened on Friday.

Mr Zakaria said that the double rapist was seen running out of the same door of the High Commission he came in through.

It took him one minute and 30 seconds to come out again Nafees ZakariaPakistani consul general

Hussain was taken to the Pakistan High Commission to obtain a passport so he could be deported at the end of a nine-year prison sentence.

He was subject to less security than those facing deportation for breaching immigration rules, Mr Zakaria said.

"This happened because of the incompetence and slackness on the part of immigration officials," said the diplomat. "He simply ran away.

"I saw the CCTV recording. It showed they entered at one point. It took him one minute and 30 seconds to come out again.

"He was seen running out of the same door through which he entered with an immigration official."

'Very dangerous'

The Pakistani authorities have already lodged a formal complaint on the basis that UK officials failed to alert them that Hussain was dangerous.

Hussain, who was jailed for trying to rape two women at knifepoint in Derbyshire, told his guard from G4S Care that he needed to go to the toilet, before making his escape.

David Wood, from the UK Border Agency, said Hussain's details had been placed on the Police National Computer and watch-lists and that officers were "actively searching" for him.

The Metropolitan police have described Hussain as "very dangerous" and have urged people not to approach him.

Officers are working with colleagues in Derbyshire to try to find out if Hussain has any contacts in Britain who could be helping him while he is on the run.

He is described as about 5ft 5in tall, of medium to chubby build with dark cropped hair. He was wearing a blue T-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers when he escaped.