A suspected illegal immigrant was being hunted by police over the alleged rape of a schoolgirl who was forced to marry him.

The Bangladeshi suspect, aged in his 40s, is also wanted after claims he sexually assaulted the 15-year-old girl’s younger sister.

He disappeared after the girl, now aged 17, contacted the Metropolitan Police when she feared she was being forced into a second marriage.

The two sisters are from an Asian family that live in the Bethnal Green area of London’s East End.

Officers have arrested a 53-year-old woman, believed to be another family member, on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and actual bodily harm.

The arrest for assault is linked to an attack on a six-year-old boy.

An inquiry by specialist child abuse detectives based at Stratford began when the teenage bride contacted police over her forced marriage fears on June 26.

Inquiries quickly revealed the girl had allegedly already been the subject of a forced marriage in April 2007 when she was 15.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “The sham marriage took place at an address in the E2 area. She alleged she was subsequently raped by the man.

”Further inquiries revealed a second girl, then aged 12, had also been sexually assaulted by the man.

”A 53-year-old woman was arrested on July 7 on suspicion of aiding and abetting rape and actual bodily harm.

”She has subsequently been bailed to return on September 1 to an East London police station pending further enquiries.

”The male suspect remains outstanding and extensive police inquiries continue to trace him.”

By Chris Greenwood