FOUR months on and child rapist Hardi Hijrani is still on the run — but police have refused to confirm whether he is THE missing Bolton sex offender.

The Bolton News revealed last month how one sex offender from the town is missing — but that police would not reveal their identity or gender.

Hijrani is believed to have fled to the Middle East before he was due to stand trial for raping a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint in Queen's Park in 2012.

On December 19 last year he was jailed for 12 years at Bolton Crown Court after being tried in his absence.

A spokesman from Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the force had not caught up with Hijrani since his conviction.

But, they added: "We cannot confirm whether he is the one missing from Bolton or not."

Police have said routinely naming sex offenders could endanger them or lead to the identification of victims.

A spokesman said: "If individual registered sex offenders are believed to present an imminent risk, then they can be named in the media."

Bolton Crown Court said Hijrani had not been back before the court since being dealt with on December 19.

Police initially refused to disclose how many of Greater Manchester's 23 missing sex offenders were from Bolton — citing the risk of identifying individuals.

They later disclosed one from the town was missing after The Bolton News appealed on grounds of public interest.

This position was questioned by Julie Hilling, seeking re-election as MP for Bolton West, who said the police were offering protection to offenders who have "broken the rules".

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester's police and crime commissioner, said human rights legislation was never intended to protect registered sex offenders, and that "where necessary and appropriate, police should enlist the help of the public" in finding them.

There are 2,700 registered sex offenders in Greater Manchester, with more than 600 subject to sexual offences prevention orders.

Of the 23 registered sex offenders registered in Greater Manchester whose whereabouts are unknown, 11 are thought to be abroad.

Efforts to trace Hijrani in the 15 months between him absconding and his trial failed.

He met his victim in Queen's Park and took her back to his flat in Gilnow Road before raping her.

The next day he saw her again and, after cajoling her back to his flat, he raped her again, picking up a knife and threatening her.

When passing sentence Judge Timothy Clayson said Hijrani's whereabouts were unknown and that he may have "gone back to the Middle East".

Greater Manchester Police said at the time that Interpol had been contacted in a bid to find Hijrani and put him behind bars.