A MAN accused of supplying drugs is being hunted by police, after he failed to turn up at court.

Simon Debnam, 29, failed to attend a scheduled court appearance on February 4 after being charged with conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

York Police say they believe Debnam is still in the city and they have appealed for anybody who sees him to contact officers.

He has a history of violence and was jailed for six years in 2006 for his role in a masked raid. He is described as white, about 6ft 4ins tall, with brown hair.

Det Insp Dave Kirby said: “Simon Debnam is well aware we will be looking for him.

“He is shying away from facing up to the offence he has been charged with and he needs to realise that running away is not going to help his cause.

“I am urging the public to keep an eye out for Debnam, and I would also urge his family and friends to think carefully about helping him evade the police.

“Harbouring a wanted man is an offence in itself, and if you are suspected of assisting him, you will be arrested as well.”

In 2006, Debnam was sentenced to six years in prison for his part in a raid on a family home in Hunting-ton.

Debnam and two others – Stephen Kenny Ashes, then 24, of Tang Hall, and Luke Lawrence Atkin, then 19, of Walmgate – burst into the house armed with two knives, a screwdriver and a CS gas cannister.

The victims were “threatened in such a way that they might have expected death to ensue”, the court heard.

The men eventually left with jewellery and cash. Ashes was told he must wait for four-and-a-half-years before asking for parole and Atkin was sentenced to five years for the raid, in North Moor Lane.

Anybody who sees Debnam or knows his whereabouts is asked to phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.