A HAIRDRESSER who raped a woman after plying her with a date rape drug has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

However, Adem Gokgoz’s trial was held in his absence as he is on the run from police.

The 28-year-old worked as a hairdresser in Terminus Road, Eastbourne.

Gokgoz had been on a night out where he met his victim.

While together in a club he slipped the date rape drug GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in her drink.

GHB is usually supposed to have left the system within 12 hours of entering.

However, forensic officers found that it was still present in the victim’s system 14 hours later, which Lewes Crown Court heard indicated it was either a supremely high dose or that it was given over several hours to reach its peak.

Gokgoz raped the woman twice at the flat he lived in above the hairdressing salon on April 5, 2014.

He was arrested later on the same day and police launched their investigation.

Gokgoz had been released on conditional bail by Hastings magistrates on May 4 last year, and he was told he was being sent for trial by jury.

However, he failed to appear for a preliminary hearing at Lewes Crown Court on May 26 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police believe that Gokgoz fled to his native Turkey and said he may be using the name Adam Garcia.

However, he still has business interests in Eastbourne so officers think he could be in Sussex.

Following an application by the Crown Prosecution Service, Judge David Rennie authorised a trial in his absence at a hearing on November 25 last year.

After a four day trial earlier this month, in which he was found guilty of both offences, Judge Jeremy Gold QC jailed him for 11 years.

Judge Gold QC told the court that he did not have the slightest doubt that the crime was pre-meditated.

As well as the jail sentence Gokgoz will be a registered sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Lisa Wells, of the East Sussex safeguarding investigations unit, said: “We believe Gokgoz, who is a UK citizen and also uses the the name Adam Garcia, returned to his native Turkey in May 2016 whilst on court bail.

“We are working with the CPS and the authorities there to try to trace him.

“However, he still has business connections locally and we still want to hear from anyone who may have seen him, heard from him or knows of his whereabouts, in Turkey or elsewhere.”

Describing the crime, she said:”Gokgoz and his victim had met at a club in the town earlier that night and forensic examination showed that at some point while there Gokgoz had clearly put some GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in her drink.

“The level of GHB in her system 14 hours after administration (it is usually supposed to be excreted within 12 hours) meant it was either a supremely high dose or given over several hours to reach that peak.

“The victim gave evidence at the trial, and feels vindicated by the outcome.”

She added: “You can contact us via 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 597 of 05/04/14, or report online here - or call 101.