TREVOR Masters, the fugitive rapist from Kington who fled to France after jumping bail in Cardiff, has lost the first round of his fight against extradition.

The 48-year-old was refused bail on Tuesday by magistrates in Pau, south-west France. If extradited to the UK, he faces a 12-year jail sentence.

Masters has been on the run since jumping bail last August during his trial for rape. The jury has been considering 14 charges of sex abuse and assault when he fled the country for the continent.

He was convicted in his absence at Cardiff Crown Court of nine charges - including rape, indecent assault, actual bodily harm and attempted serious sexual offences against a child - and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

After several reported sightings in Europe, Masters was re-arrested at a cyber caf in Pau a month ago.

He is now fighting an extradition request from the UK government.

TREVOR Masters, the fugitive rapist from Kington who fled to France after jumping bail in Cardiff, has lost the first round of his fight against extradition.

The 48-year-old was refused bail on Tuesday by magistrates in Pau, south-west France. If extradited to the UK, he faces a 12-year jail sentence.

Masters has been on the run since jumping bail last August during his trial for rape. The jury has been considering 14 charges of sex abuse and assault when he fled the country for the continent.

He was convicted in his absence at Cardiff Crown Court of nine charges - including rape, indecent assault, actual bodily harm and attempted serious sexual offences against a child - and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

After several reported sightings in Europe, Masters was re-arrested at a cyber caf in Pau a month ago.

He is now fighting an extradition request from the UK government.