September 2005

Missing sex attacker found guilty

A man who disappeared during his trial has been found guilty of various sex offences in his absence.

Police are now looking for David Anderson, 64, who went missing from Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday.

The trial continued in his absence and he was found guilty of offences against a girl, 13, and a woman, 19.

Anderson, of Quay Street, Gloucester, was convicted of five indecent assaults, four charges of indecency and one of attempted indecency.

He had previously admitted two charges of making indecent images of a child, Gloucestershire Police said.

Anderson left Gloucester Crown Court on Wednesday after claiming to be ill.

Officers are now trying to trace him so that he can be brought back before a judge to be sentenced.

Detective Constable Gill Leeder led the investigation and appealed for help in tracking Anderson down.

“Clearly these were serious offences and it gives us some satisfaction to know that our investigation ended in a conviction, not least for the young victims who have suffered enormously because of his actions, ” she said.

“We also need to find Anderson now to ensure he faces the court to be sentenced and that he serves that sentence, whatever it may be.”