British police have dropped a rape investigation against a sex offender deported from Dunedin.
Michael Andrew Bell (39) was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers at London's Heathrow Airport after being deported in July from New Zealand following a jail term for sexual violation.
Metropolitan Police were acting on behalf of the Devon and Cornwall police where Bell was wanted in relation to a historic rape allegation.
He was bailed until last week as police investigated the matter.
However, a Devon and Cornwall police spokesman said police were not pursuing the matter, due to insufficient evidence.
‘‘No further action is being taken,'' the spokesman said.
‘‘His bail was cancelled.''
Bell was jailed in New Zealand in November 2012 after a complaint by a then 19-year-old woman following an incident in Dunedin in September 2011.
He denied the offending but a jury in Invercargill found him guilty at the end of a two-day district court trial.
He was jailed for three years and nine months after being convicted on two counts of sexual violation.
After being granted parole, three New Zealand police officers accompanied Bell to London.
Metropolitan Police officers entered the plane and arrested Bell once the other passengers had disembarked.
His arrest related to a historic allegation dating from more than a decade ago, before Bell emigrated to New Zealand.
Devon and Cornwall police did not comment further on the matter.
