DETECTIVES are appealing to the public to help find a man who has breached the terms of his prison licence.

Richard James Sampson, 31, of Boroughbridge Road, was released from prison on November 19, but a police spokesman said his poor behaviour since then meant he must return to custody.

Sampson was jailed for nine years in 2004 for burglary, handling stolen goods, and dangerous driving, and has breached his licence three times since he was first released from prison in 2009.

He is described as white, about 6ft 2 in tall, with a medium build, green eyes and short, fair hair.

Sergeant Dave Hopper, of York police, said: “We believe that Richard Sampson is somewhere in the Acomb or Foxwood area of the city and I am urging anyone who knows where he is to contact the police or Crimestoppers. Sampson isn’t doing himself any favours and the longer he evades the police, the worse it will get for him when we do catch up with him.”

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