In a shocking turn of events, a Bradford Bulls rugby player has fled the UK after facing serious sexual offence charges, including rape.

Keven Appo, who was given conditional bail on November 26, had plans to appear in court this morning.

However, by the evening of the same day, Appo had already boarded a flight out of Manchester, heading first to Dubai and then to his home country of Papua New Guinea.

Timeline of Appo’s Actions

According to Bradford Magistrates’ Court, Appo, 25, was living in Halifax at the time of the charges.

Despite being under bail conditions, he managed to leave the UK just a few hours after his release.

Prosecutor Fiona Newcombe explained that Appo handed over his house and car keys to the club’s manager before disappearing.

UK authorities are now working with police in Papua New Guinea to begin the extradition process to bring him back to face the charges.

The Investigation and Charges

The charges against Appo stem from an investigation conducted by Calderdale District’s adult protection team, following a report made in April 2024.

Although the details of the charges have not been fully disclosed, they are serious in nature.

The case continues to unfold as efforts to extradite Appo intensify.

Appo’s Background and Career

Born in the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, Appo represented his country at the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.

He joined the Bradford Bulls in 2023, but after the allegations came to light, the club made the decision to terminate his contract.

In his place, the Bulls signed Bayley Liu from Sheffield Eagles as a replacement.

Extradition Process

With the extradition process now underway, authorities are focusing on returning Appo to the UK.

As the situation develops, more details about the investigation and his eventual return are expected to emerge.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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