Convicted sex offender on the run

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/manchester/7638483.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A convicted sex offender is being sought after failing to turn up at court in Manchester.

John Tregalles, 61, from Devon, was due at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced for three counts of raping a child and a serious sexual assault on a boy.

The charges relate to offences committed between 1986 and 1991, when he lived in the Rochdale area.

He was sentenced in his absence to 20 years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Evaded capture

He was also found guilty of a string of indecent assaults on children under 13.

Tregalles had been bailed by the courts to appear on Monday 15 September, he failed to do so and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He had been allowed to return to his Teignmouth home but failed to return to Bolton.

Police said that despite numerous efforts to trace him, he has evaded capture.

Officers are appealing for information on his whereabouts. It is believed he may have been spending time in Rochdale and Manchester.

Supt Martin Greehalgh said: "This man needs to be caught and held accountable for his crimes.

"We are doing all we can to find him but I would urge members of the public who have any information on his whereabouts to get in contact.

"I would urge anyone who sees Tregalles not to approach him, but to contact police immediately."