Deported child rapist sneaked back into the UK and tried to claim Universal Credit

A child rapist who sneaked back into the UK after being deported has been snared after trying to claim Universal Credit. Sebastian Pavel Baltatu was sentenced to three years for the rape of a child under the age of 13 in 2019, reports Manchester Evening News. The 24-year-old was then deported in 2020.

But Greater Manchester Police said checks by the force's Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU) later showed he had unlawfully returned to the UK and was living in Manchester. Baltatu was tracked down to an address in Gorton after filing a Universal Credit claim. He was then arrested last month, GMP said. He appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday (April 17) and was sentenced to a year and six months, having pleaded guilty to five breaches of his sex offender requirements, as well as a breach of his deportation order.

He now faces deportation for a second time.

Det Sgt Daniel Sanchez, from the Public Protection Department, said: "Sebastian Baltatu poses a clear and ongoing risk to the public, particularly to children, and it was vital that he was located and brought before the courts.

"Despite having been deported following a serious sexual offence and being subject to strict requirements, Baltatu chose to unlawfully return to the UK and deliberately breach the conditions placed upon him.

"Officers are proactively reviewing sex offenders who are believed to be living overseas to ensure they have not returned to the UK. Where concerns are identified, swift action is taken to locate those individuals and arrest them where necessary.

"Through determined and methodical work by officers from our Sex Offender Management Unit, we were able to establish his whereabouts and ensure he was arrested safely.

"This case underlines our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and taking robust action against offenders who believe they can evade the law.

"We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to identify those who pose a risk and ensure they are dealt with decisively."