Child rapist who fled to Spain to run away from past jailed at Portsmouth court

A child rapist who fled the UK in a bid to avoid justice has been jailed at Portsmouth Crown Court.

David Niblett, 42, has been jailed for 15 years for raping a girl under the age of 13 in West Sussex on two occasions. The paedophile committed the offences between January 2014 and December 2015.

Specially trained officers have been supporting the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The victim was aged between six and eight when she was raped by Niblett.

Sussex Police were told about the incidents after the victim confided in a family member, who made the report to the force. Niblett fled to Spain after becoming aware that the allegations had been brought to police attention in 2015.

He was arrested in Spain on 30 December 2025 after the circulation of an Interpol Red Notice, where he was subsequently extradited back to the UK. The arrests and extradition involved joint working between Interpol, the National Crime Agency’s extradition team and Spanish Authorities.

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Niblett, of Uxbridge Road, Uxbridge, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on June 15, 2026, where he pled guilty to two counts of rape of a girl under the age of 13. Appearing at the same court on August 14, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and an extra year on licence. He was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Jacob Parkin from the Public Protection Team in West Sussex said: “Niblett carried out heinous crimes that breached the trust of his victim. She showed tremendous bravery and courage throughout the investigation.

“We take all reports of rape and sexual assault seriously and encourage victims to report their experience to police. We were determined to get justice for the victim and ensure Niblett was held accountable for his actions.”

Support services for victims of serious sexual offences can be found on the police website.