Sex offender hunted by police

Police in North Yorkshire are appealing for information about a convicted sex offender who has been missing since February.

Stephen Burnell, 54, was due to appear at York Crown Court in February, charged with a number of sex offences, including the attempted rape and indecent assaults of a young girl.

The offences, which were committed between February 2000 and February 2004, began when the girl was just nine years old.

Burnell failed to answer his bail and he was convicted in his absence and sentenced to six years in prison on March 2.

Burnell is described as 5ft 6in tall, with a noticeably red complexion and ginger/blonde hair, which was cropped short, and a full beard. However, police have said that he could have grown his hair and/or shaved off the beard.

Burnell had previously lived in York, but prior to the case he had moved to an address in North Wales.

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on: 0845 6060247 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A photograph of Stephen Burnell can be found at: www.northyorkshire.police.uk.

(KMcA)