How did a brutal rapist from Poland manage to evade the authorities to hide out in the Isle of Man?

Marian Dorobek, described as Poland’s most wanted sex offender, was finally caught last week following a tip-off to police when he arrived at Heysham off the Steam Packet ferry from Douglas.

He had been on the run since November when he was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted of a string of rape and child sex offences.

iomtoday has learned that three days before his arrest, Dorobek was reported missing here by a family member. It is understood that he was also reported for a possible offence of affray.

Manx police appealed to the public for help in tracing the missing Polish national - with no mention that he was a wanted man.

He was traced and arrested but no further action was taken on the affray allegation as no formal complaint had been made.

By then, however, police knew he was wanted on a European arrest warrant. But that warrant could not be executed as we are outside the European Union.

A police spokesman said Dorobek was monitored and public safety maintained to the point when he was due to travel back to the UK where he was picked up at the point of entry.

Further details have emerged about the offences committed by the 68-year-old, who has been described as a ’very dangerous man’ by the island’s Chief Constable.

According to Polish press reports, he would lure vulnerable young girls, often from disadvantaged families, to his home in Grudziadz with the offer of cash, jewellery and cigarettes in return for cleaning his flat.

But when they arrived he would attack them, tying them up and drugging them before raping them.

He also threatened girls with a flamethrower and kept a journal detailing his offences.

Dorobek was only stopped when a neighbour who is the mother of one of the four young victims heard the screams of her daughter and immediately called the police.

The district court in Grudziadz had issued a European warrant for his arrest.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary were waiting for Dorobek when the Ben-my-Chree docked at Heysham at 12.15pm on Wednesday.

Following his arrest, he was transferred to HMP Wandsworth ahead of extradition proceedings at Westminster Magistrates Court.

A spokesman for Isle of Man Constabulary said: ’Mr Dorobek was arrested at his first point of entry back in the UK on a European Arrest Warrant.

'This was as a result of the Isle of Man Constabulary liaising with UK forces to ensure they were able to intercept him and subsequently facilitate his removal to Poland.

'The Constabulary was aware of Mr Dorobek’s presence on the island and his movements from the point of him coming to notice, having been reported missing by a family member.

'European Arrest Warrants cannot be executed on the Isle of Man as we sit outside the European Union.'

A spokesman for the Manx government said: ’An EU National is free to travel to the UK and therefore on to the Isle of Man as we are within the Common Travel Area (CTA).

’Border checks are in place for people entering the UK. EU nationals applying for work permits in the Isle of Man would be subject to the relevant checks.

’There is a difference between EU nationals and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals need to be granted a visa for entry clearance.’