TWO members of a drugs gang are still on the run more than two months after they failed to attend court in York.

Sonny Elms and Paul Daniel Heaton were both due to be sentenced at York Crown Court on Wednesday, February 1, for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine.

The Manchester gang was brought to justice following an extensive investigation that lasted more than three years and saw North Yorkshire Police work closely with officers in the city.

York Press:

Detectives collected evidence including mobile phone information to build up a picture of how the organised crime group operated, which included targeting vulnerable people in Scarborough.

Five co-conspirators - Jack Ashcroft, 28, of Dean Brook Close, Manchester, Blaise Woolfe, 25, of Stockton Drive, Failsworth, Ashley Farnell, 22, of The Fairway, New Moston, Drew McCormick, 20, of Lynthorpe Road, Manchester and Jamie McKenna, 19, of Edgeware Road, Oldham - were all jailed for a total of almost 20 years after being given individual sentences which ranged from one-and-a-half years to six years and three months.

Four of the men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and one admitted being concerned in their supply, for offences which took place in 2013 and 2014.

But Elms and Heaton - who were both convicted - did not appear at court on the day they were due to be sentenced, and North Yorkshire Police released their photos and an appeal to the public to help track them down.

Police said Elms and Heaton were known to have links to Scarborough, Manchester, Failsworth, Moston and Cheetham Hill, and warrants are still out for their arrest.

A police spokesman said Elms, 24, of Mansfield Road, Manchester, is 6ft 1in tall, with dark eyes and blond hair, which he often shaves.

Heaton, of Sidney Road, Manchester, is 26, 5ft 11in tall, has blue eyes, short hair, is often unshaven and speaks with a Mancunian accent.

This week, police in Manchester urged the public not to approach Elms or Heaton, but to phone 999 immediately if they are spotted.

Detective Sergeant Ryan Chapman, from North Yorkshire Police, said both men were facing considerable prison sentences, and the force remained determined to bring them to justice.

Anyone who has information on their whereabouts should phone 999, or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference 12130209531.