OLIVER ARNOLD FLEEING NORWICH AFTER CHILD SEX OFFENCES CONVICTION
The case of Oliver Arnold, a man previously at the helm of a Norfolk-based crane hire company, has taken a dramatic turn as he is now on the run from justice.Arnold, aged 49, was recently convicted in his absence of multiple child sex offences and sentenced to a decade behind bars.
The conviction was handed down by King's Lynn Crown Court last week, but Arnold had already fled the country before the trial even commenced.
It has been confirmed that Arnold escaped to France earlier this year, prior to the start of his trial, and authorities believe he remains there.
A warrant for his arrest has been issued, and he faces additional charges of absconding on bail once he is apprehended and returned to the United Kingdom.
Arnold’s flight came after he failed to attend his pre-trial review in May, raising suspicions about his intentions.
Arnold was the former director of Quinto Cranes and Plant, a company based on Anson Road near Norwich Airport, which operated across multiple locations including Ipswich and Chelmsford.
The firm, established in 1966 with roots tracing back to the late 1950s through the Norwich-based Pointer Group, was acquired by Arnold in 2014.
Under his leadership, the company aimed for expansion, with Arnold expressing confidence in its growth prospects, including plans to increase annual turnover from 7 million to 10 million pounds.
However, the company faced financial difficulties and ultimately went into administration in April 2022, resulting in the loss of around 50 jobs.
Arnold’s tenure as director was marked by ambitions of growth and investment, but his reputation was marred by the criminal case that unfolded against him.
The charges against Arnold involved a single victim, a 15-year-old girl, with whom he was convicted of three counts of penetrative sexual activity, as well as one count of non-penetrative activity and sexual communication.
The offences took place in Norfolk between August and December 2022.
Arnold, who previously resided on Swaffham Road in Wendling near Dereham, denied all five allegations, but the jury at King's Lynn took only minutes to reach a guilty verdict.
Judge Andrew Shaw informed the court that Arnold had fled to France and was believed to still be there, which added a layer of complexity to his case.
The police confirmed that Arnold entered the UK via Calais in the early hours of May 9, shortly before his trial.
His disappearance has been described as a significant fall from grace, especially considering his previous reputation in the local business community.
During the trial, a former employee of Quinto Cranes described Arnold as a
