Convicted child sex predator Allan Hopkins arrested in NSW after nationwide search

The Australia-wide search for convicted child sex predator Allan Hopkins has come to an end with his arrest in NSW.

A South Australian child sex predator has been arrested in north-eastern New South Wales after being on the run for almost two weeks.

Allan John Hopkins, 44, has been arrested in Moree after being wanted by SA Police for almost two weeks over alleged serious sexual offences against a child under the age of 18.

On Friday, Detective Superintendent Scott Fitzgerald officer in charge of the public protection branch, reissued an appeal for public information about the whereabouts of Hopkins.

Allan Hopkins, 44, has been arrested by NSW police. Picture: SAPOL

Superintendent Fitzgerald described the inquiry as a “very sensitive investigation” and confirmed police were “in contact with a number of victims that have been left in the wake of Mr Hopkins’ activities”.

It is believed Hopkins may have been in South-East Queensland where police allege he committed more offences including an alleged carjacking while armed with a hammer.

Police first issued the appeal on Monday last week after police allege Hopkins committed serious sexual offences against a child under the age of 18 in early May.

This is the vehicle he was driving when last seen in SA. Picture: SA Police

Hopkins has previously been convicted of child sex offences after he pleaded guilty in 2010 of the rape of a 10-year-old girl after breaking into her Paralowie home in 2007.

Hopkins kidnapped the child from her Paralowie home while she was sleeping next to a friend and raped her at a nearby school.

Hopkins was sentenced in 2010 to 10.5 years in jail, with a non-parole period of seven years.

The victim of that attack, who cannot be identified, bravely urged the public to come forward with any information that would lead to Hopkins’ arrest.

“That was my biggest fear, always, that someone else would have to go through the exact same thing … and I never wanted that,” she told 9 NEWS earlier this week.