Rapist on the run after arrest because EU freedom of movement allowed him to flee UK without passport

A concert pianist who raped a student was able to flee the UK after his arrest because EU freedom of movement rules allowed him to board the Eurostar without a passport, a court has heard.

Jacek Serafin, 30, who studied piano performance at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, had his passport confiscated by police after he was arrested for the sexual assault of his 22-year old victim, whose drink had been spiked.

But on April 26, just days before he was due to face a retrial for rape, Serafin used an ID card to board a Eurostar train bound for France and vanished.

It is thought he is now in his native Poland but police have not been able to make contact with him despite efforts to track him down.

Serafin, a former graduate of Music Academy in Kracow, was yesterday (FRI), jailed for 14 years in his absence, having been found guilty of rape and assault by penetration.Judge Anthony Cross QC, told the jury at Manchester Crown Court: "He was due to attend on the first day of the trial but didn't turn up. Following his failure to attend police made enquiries and discovered a person holding the defendant's identity left England for France by Eurostar.’’

EEA citizens can travel on the Eurostar with either a passport or a national identity card.

The judge called for an inquiry at the Royal Northern College of Music, condemning staff for failing to intervene as his unconscious victim was subjected to a horrific ordeal.

He criticised the supervision of student functions after the court heard that Serafin sexually assaulted the woman in a practise room having earlier spiked her drink with a date rape drug at a fresher's party.

Serafin from Hulme, Manchester, was spotted by a guard forcing himself on his victim as she lay helpless on the floor but Serafin urged him not to call the police.

Afterwards, he was seen dressing the woman then carrying her “like a dead weight” to a taxi before he took her back at his flat.

Mr Cross said: "In my judgement there ought to be an inquiry by the Royal Northern College of Music into the staff supervising events such as these.

"The defendant was observed by witnesses acting strangely. One described him observing what was going on, staring as though he was recounting events.

"He isolated his target and waited for her outside a toilet and when they were in a practice room she was unconscious and she was brutally raped. I am satisfied a drug was used by the defendant to incapacitate the victim.

"By 2am he was disturbed by a security guard and it was quite plain that he feared discovery and asked the guard not to report the matter to the police. Sadly he did not.

“That remark should have triggered alarm and should have caused him to take action. For what he saw was a young woman unconscious. Not asleep - unconscious.”

The judge added: “Once awake he tried to avoid detection by weeping. But she had the courage to complain to the police. These offences are grave matters irrespective of his previous good character."