Calais rapist 'could be people smuggler'

Last Modified: 30 Aug 2008
Source: ITN

A rapist who attacked a UK journalism student at an immigrants' camp in Calais is believed to be a people smuggler and may have fled to England.

An international manhunt is under way after the attack on a 31-year-old Canadian-born woman on Tuesday night.

She was attacked while visiting a makeshift camp nicknamed "the Jungle" near the port in Calais, the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutors' office said.

The woman, who was studying in London and had lived in Britain for years, had gone there to research an article on illegal immigrants.

French detectives believe she may have been attacked by a human trafficker, it was reported.

On Friday, vice-prosecutor Philippe Muller said photofit images of the rapist had been put together using descriptions by the victim and a witness.

The two pictures, which were described as "very similar", have been sent to the French ports, the British authorities and Interpol.

Mr Muller said there was a strong possibility the man had already left the country.

He said: "We fear he may well have already gone, possibly to England or to another French port. It's also possible he's gone to Belgium or the Netherlands."

Police could not say how many migrants at the camp have been questioned as the investigation continues.

The Jungle is one of several camps where illegal immigrants gather before trying to smuggle themselves across the Channel and into the UK.

A police spokesman said: "Conditions in the camp are very hard. The occupants' sole aim is to secure their passage to Britain."

"You have to be very careful when entering these camps. The people there, mostly men, have an illegal status, they have no job and no home. The Jungle is a dangerous place and it's not safe to go there."

About half the occupants of the camps in Calais tend to be from African countries such as Sudan, Mali and Eritrea, while others have come from countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, according to aid workers.

The victim is believed to have visited the camp more than once before she was raped.

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