A violent criminal whom British authorities tried to deport to Iraq has gone on the run after being granted bail by an immigration judge, it has emerged.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) "strongly opposed" bail being given to Kawa ali Azad, 34, who his ex-partner has said has threatened to kill her.

Azad, an Iraqi Kurd, breached the bail terms of his release by failing to appear at a police station to have an electronic tag fitted and then breached a restraining order by threatening his ex-partner, the Daily Mail reported.

Tania Doherty and their son are now living in fear and have been given a new identity as Azad remains on the run more than five months after being bailed from Colnbrook immigration removal centre near Heathrow.

Miss Doherty, whose new identity cannot be revealed, told the Daily Mail: "I just cannot believe he was released. I am disgusted. Human rights are a joke as far as I'm concerned."

She told how Azad was jailed for attacking her on Eastbourne beach in East Sussex after she ended their relationship.

In a statement, the UKBA said: "The UK Border Agency removed Mr Azad in October 2009 after he was convicted of dangerous driving and violence, but the Iraqi authorities refused to accept him.

"Since then we have revised our arrangements for return to Iraq, which have enabled us to remove Iraqi citizens with no right to stay in the UK, to Baghdad.

"Following his return to the UK, Mr Azad was released on bail by an immigration judge. This was strongly opposed by the UK Border Agency."

Sussex Police confirmed they were looking to arrest Azad on suspicion of breaching a restraining order issued at Hove Crown Court under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.