A 24-year-old child rapist who illegally returned to the United Kingdom was caught after making a claim for Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Sebastian Pavel Baltatu was initially deported in 2020 after being sentenced for the rape of a child under the age of 13 in 2019.
Illegal Return and Arrest
Baltatu unlawfully re-entered the UK during the Covid-19 lockdown and settled in Manchester, where he submitted a Universal Credit claim. This triggered an alert, leading to his arrest last month. He appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, April 18, where he received a sentence of one year and six months. Police confirmed that he now faces deportation for a second time.
Ongoing Risk to Public
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that Baltatu poses a “clear and ongoing risk to the public, particularly children.” Detective Sergeant Daniel Sanchez, from the Public Protection Department, said: “Sebastian Baltatu poses a clear and ongoing risk to the public, particularly to children, and it was vital that he was located and brought before the courts.”
Sanchez added: “Despite having been deported following a serious sexual offence and being subject to strict requirements, Baltatu chose to unlawfully return to the UK and deliberately breach the conditions placed upon him.”
Proactive Monitoring
Officers are proactively reviewing sex offenders believed to be living overseas to ensure they have not returned to the UK. “Where concerns are identified, swift action is taken to locate those individuals and arrest them where necessary,” Sanchez said.
“Through determined and methodical work by officers from our Sex Offender Management Unit, we were able to establish his whereabouts and ensure he was arrested safely. This case underlines our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and taking robust action against offenders who believe they can evade the law. We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to identify those who pose a risk and ensure they are dealt with decisively.”
