A SUSPECTED rapist - described as a potential danger to women - has been on the run for 17 days and police urge anyone who may be shielding him to turn him in.

Officers say they believe he may still be in the Newport area. Micam Roland Williams, 32, from Newport, is alleged to have abducted a 15-year-old girl from a Cardiff street on September 28, taken her to a flat in Edison Ridge, Malpas, and subjected her to an 16-hour ordeal, repeatedly raping her.

Police have spoken to Williams on the phone, but he has refused to give himself up and has been on the run since the day after the alleged abduction on September 29.

At 2pm on that day the girl says she managed to escape from the Newport flat and raise the alarm.

She told police she was bundled into the back seat of a black Rover in Janet Street, Splott, Cardiff, before being taken to Newport.

South Wales Police say they have been following up leads from appeals in the Argus for information on his whereabouts. They told us they feared he may be being helped by friends or family.

Today, they are urging whoever may be helping Williams to turn him in. A South Wales Police spokesman said: "We are urging anyone who may be harbouring Williams or is aware of his whereabouts to contact the officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Huw Thomas.

"The offence itself was violent and he could cause harm to others. "This was a very serious incident and police need to speak to him about the matter."

Micam Williams is described as Afro Caribbean, of medium build, 5ft 11ins tall with short hair and a goatee beard. Officers have recovered a black Rover car belonging to Williams in Bacon Place, Malpas.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact DS Thomas at Cardiff CID on 02920 527420 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111. l Editorial: page 18