A FORMER paratrooper who helped train Prince William and served alongside Prince Harry is on the run following his conviction for child rape.

Wayne Domeney, 51, believed to be in County Durham, possibly the Consett area, is wanted by police so he can be sentenced.

The former soldier was found guilty of a string of serious sex offences spanning a four year period at Birmingham Crown Court earlier this month.

Domeney, who was previously known as Wayne Rackham, was due to attend a trial on January 29 and the case went ahead in his absence.

When he failed to attend on the second day, Judge Katrina Montgomery issued a warrant for his arrest.

He was found guilty of 13 charges by a jury on February 2.

Domeney was convicted of four counts of rape on a young girl, three counts of assaulting a girl by penetration, three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of intimidating a witness.

Inspector Keith Wardle, of Consett Police, said: “I’d advise people not to approach him. If anyone thinks they have seen this male they should contact police immediately.

“I am not saying he is dangerous, but he is wanted for serious offences and he will, no doubt, get a serious custodial sentence.”

Domeney signed up to the Army in 1985 and became a Warrant Officer Sergeant Major, touring Iraq and Afghanistan as well as serving in Northern Ireland.

During a career spanning almost 25 years Domeney, who served with 2 Para, took Princess Diana on a tour of Bosnian minefields and also met Prince Charles.

In 2009, the year he left the Army, the former boxing champion was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In an interview with national newspaper last September, following his arrest, he called on the Government to do more to help former soldiers with PTSD and told how he served with Prince Harry in Afghanistan.

His marriage ended in 2014, after the allegations against him came to light, he left his job at a school in Nuneaton, and ended up sleeping rough in woodland using his military survival skills to stay alive.

He is formerly of the Bulkington area of Bedworth and may also have links to Aldershot in Hampshire.

Police now believe he is in the North-East where he has family members.

Insp Wardle said: “Members of the public who have seen him should call the police by ringing 101.”