A wanted man who went on the run after being convicted of raping a woman was tracked down in a seaside town.

William White, 24, raped a woman while she was sleeping at his house in Paragon Road, Hackney, following a social gathering in January 2020.

He failed to appear Snaresbrook Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (August 1).

He was sentenced in his absence to five-and-a-half years' jail for one count of rape and one count of sexual assault by touching.

Earlier today (August 3) White was located in Clacton, Essex, by officers from the Met's Central East Command Predatory Offender Unit.

He is due to appear at a local magistrates' court before being taken to prison to begin his sentence.

The victim gave evidence in front of her attacker during a nine-day trial which ended on May 19.

The court heard the victim attended White’s home with a friend for a social gathering on January 17, 2020, and had trusted White, having already known him through friends.

The victim fell asleep at the address and later woke to find White raping her, Scotland Yard said.

She reported the incident to police on January 19, 2020.

White was arrested by detectives two days later and was charged with the offence on December 20, 2021 following an investigation.

Det Con Jamie Merrill thanked the press and public for helping the police track White down.

“Significant resources were brought to bear to apprehend White so that he could begin his considerable sentence, but it was a media appeal that finally gave us his location," he said.

“I would like to thank the media and the public for working with us to place William White behind bars.

“White subjected the victim to a horrifying ordeal when she was asleep and vulnerable.

“Throughout the trial he attempted to mislead the court about his actions, but the 12 men and women of the jury correctly identified his dishonesty and convicted him unanimously of rape.

“I hope the sentence handed down will bring a small measure of peace to the victim and a sense that justice has been served.”

White is placed on the Sex Offender Register for life and will be managed by specialist officers when he is released from prison.

Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a sexual offence should call police on 101 or report the offence online quoting 1171/2AUG.