A RAPIST who attacked a suicidal girl in a Colchester car park has launched an appeal against his conviction.

Slawomir Blasiak, 43, a Polish national, was found guilty of one count of rape and four counts of sexual activity with a teenage girl in January.

Basildon Crown Court heard the 15-year-old girl had gone to the top of Vineyard Street car park in May 2008, where she had planned to slit her wrists and throw herself off.

She told the court Blasiak came across her as she contemplated suicide and began talking to her about self-harming, before kissing her.

A jury heard how the girl was then raped in an alleyway behind the shops.

Blasiak had been living in Sittang Close, Colchester, at the time of the incident, and was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection, to serve a minimum of four years.

However, the car wash worker has appealed against the conviction on a technicality.

A judge sitting at the Court of Appeal, in London, has granted him leave to appeal, but no date has yet been set.

Heather Watts, a spokeswoman for Essex Police, said the force was unable to comment because proceedings are now active.

It emerged after the trial Blasiak should never have been allowed into the UK, as he was a convicted robber who was on the run from police in Poland for a second robbery in the country.

It was only after Blasiak was in custody in Colchester in connection with the rape, that detectives were told about the outstanding European arrest warrant against him.