Geoffrey Garth

 Lancaster Police are appealing for information after a 61-year-old man failed to attend court.

Geoffrey Garth, of Patterdale Road, Lancaster, was due to be sentenced in May. He was convicted following an offence in December 2013 where an elderly woman was robbed at her home in Morecambe.

Garth and another man entered a property in Christie Avenue and tied the victim to a stair lift. They demanded cash and tobacco, threatening to chop the woman’s finger off if she did not say where she kept her money.

The offenders made off with close to £1,000 before Garth was arrested in February 2014 and charged with robbery.

He was convicted earlier this year but failed to appear at court last month.

Detective Constable Paul Donnelly, of Lancaster CID, said: “Garth is a potentially dangerous individual and we are appealing for any information which could lead to his re-arrest.

“Garth was due for sentence but failed to attend court on May 13 and subsequently a bench warrant was issued for him for failing to appear.

“If you can help, please contact police urgently. Any information, however small, could prove crucial to finding him.

“This is not going to go away and police will not stop until he is found.”

Anyone with information should contact police on (01524) 596526 or email 661@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting crime reference BB1304904.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org