Wanted pub rapist caught after running red light

A man who raped a 17-year-old girl in a pub toilet in Leicester before going on the run for two months was arrested after driving through a red traffic light, police have said.

Police said Pandeli Dervishi, 24, forced the girl to perform oral sex on him inside the toilets of a pub in The Newarke on 1 October 2025.

Officers were called after the victim was heard in distress by a member of the public, and Dervishi was arrested before being charged with rape in February.

After failing to answer bail, Dervishi was eventually arrested when a police officer spotted him running a red light in Surrey on 16 April. Following a trial, Dervishi was jailed for seven years and six months on Thursday.

Following initial inquiries, Leicestershire Police said detectives investigating the case bailed Dervishi while they "continued to obtain and review key evidence, including CCTV, forensic evidence and digital material".

When he failed to answer police bail at a designated police station, the force said he was added to the Police National Computer as a wanted person, while officers carried out inquiries to find him.

In the early hours of 16 April, police said Dervishi's whereabouts were discovered when an officer spotted him driving a white Mazda through a red traffic light in Guildford.

After initially attempting to drive away, Dervishi was eventually stopped.

Subsequent inquiries confirmed he was wanted by Leicestershire Police.

At Leicester Crown Court, Dervishi - of no fixed abode - was convicted of one count of rape and jailed.

Det Con Jon Williams said: "During the time Dervishi remained on the run, the victim was left facing considerable uncertainty.

"While I continued to reassure her that we would find him, it is entirely understandable that she was anxious and concerned that she might never receive the justice she deserved.

"I hope the outcome provides the victim with some measure of comfort and allows her to move forward knowing that Dervishi has been held accountable for his actions."

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