Kiwi arrested over abduction of Canadian sex worker

Michael Farley has been arrested in Canada. Photo / File

A New Zealander has been charged over the alleged abduction of a sex worker in Canada.

Michael Edward Farley, 39, has been arrested in connection with the March 4th attempted abduction, where a woman was tied up and dragged behind a van in Vancouver.

Inspector Laurence Rankin with the Major Crime Unit says the arrest was possible thanks to the tips from the public and victim's testimony.

"This woman was brutally victimised, and if it was not for her courage, we would not be here today," said Rankin.

Canadian media reported that Farley was in the country illegally under the assumed identity of Robert James Clarke.

Farley is also listed as being wanted by Palmerston North police for breaching home detention and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The Global News website reported that during the course of their investigation, Vancouver police interacted with New Zealand police, the Canada Border Services Agency and Interpol to learn more about the suspect.

The website reported Farley has been in Canada for two years and was working as a handyman for a Lower Mainland company and was even in a relationship, the nature of which police cannot disclose.

Sgt. Ryan Kenney said Farley had now been charged with aggravated sexual assault causing bodily harm, sexual assault, assault, kidnapping, overcoming resistance by choking to commit a sexual assault and kidnapping, administering a noxious substance and uttering threats.