A WOMAN from York has been named as one of the country's ten most wanted fugitives.

Sarah Panitzke, from Fulford, is suspected by the National Crime Agency of hiding out in Spain, after being convicted of fraud.

A spokesman for the NCA said: "Panitzke was a senior member of a crime group involved in a VAT fraud, responsible for laundering approximately £1 billion.

"She controlled the company accounts of many companies remotely via different IP addresses, travelling extensively to further the fraud to places including Dubai, Spain and Andorra. She absconded in May 2013 prior to the end of her trial and was convicted in her absence, receiving a sentence of eight years."

Panitzke, 42, is five feet seven inches tall, with slim build, mousey straight hair, blue eyes and a Yorkshire accent.

Anyone with information on Panitzke's whereabouts should contact the NCA on 0800 555111 quoting reference cs1610-15133.

If calling from Spain, phone 900 555 111.