DETECTIVES in Scarborough are searching for a missing sex offender wanted for recall to prison.

Jonathan Lee Stevens, 22, was given a nine month prison sentence last year for a sexual assault and released on March 5 on licence but has failed to attend required meetings.

Stevens is white, 5ft 10in tall, with a medium build and dark brown hair, and believed to be in the Scarborough area.

Inspector Andy Short, of Scarborough Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Jonathan, if you see or hear this appeal, I urge you to hand yourself in immediately. We have an excellent record of arresting wanted people and will continue our searches until you are back in custody. I am also asking anyone who sees Stevens to get in touch with the police straight away.”

Police have already visited a number of addresses to which Stevens has links, and Insp Short said these would continue until he is arrested.

He said: "If you have helped Stevens by shielding him from the police you are only making the inevitable outcome worse for him. You may even have committed offences yourself, and if this is the case you face the prospect of arrest and prosecution."

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.