Muarug Abraham Gebremcal, 34, originally from Eritrea, was found guilty at Exeter Crown Court in September, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

He was released by the courts on bail prior to sentencing.

He is now wanted for breaching his conditions by failing to report to police.

Detective Sergeant Hannah Spencer said: "We are urgently trying to locate Gebremcal and are appealing to anyone who may know where he is."

He is described as a 6ft black male of slim build with black afro hair and brown eyes, but he may now have shaved his head, the force said.

He has a distinctive tattoo of a male figure on his lower left arm and is known to ride a black bicycle thought to be a Carrera X Go type.

Detectives said Gebremcal has family links to Plymouth, Birmingham and London, but could be anywhere in the UK.

Anyone who has seen Gebremcal or has information on his whereabouts is asked not to approach him but contact police.