Fugitive who raped woman clubber after spiking her drink sentenced to 11 years in jail in his absence

A FUGITIVE who raped a woman clubber after spiking her drink has been sentenced to 11 years in his absence.

Hairdresser Adem Gokgoz, 28, is thought to have fled to his native Turkey after being charged with raping the 21-year-old.

He slipped a “supremely high” dosage of date-rape drug GHB into her drink then took her back to a flat above the salon where he worked in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

Gokgoz was arrested hours after raping her twice.

He fled after being bailed pending a trial at Lewes crown court.

Police believe he may be using another identity while on the run.

He was convicted after a four-day trial. Judge Jeremy Gold QC said: “I do not have the slightest doubt this crime was pre-meditated.”

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Constable Lisa Wells, of the East Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: “Gokgoz and his victim had met at a club in the town earlier that night.

“Forensic examination showed that at some point while there, Gokgoz had clearly put some GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) in her drink.

The victim feels vindicated by the outcome

“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: “We believe Gokgoz, who is a naturalised UK citizen and also uses the the name Adam Garcia, returned to his native Turkey in May 2016 whilst on court bail, and we are working with the CPS and the authorities there to try to trace him.

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