Rochdale sex offender on the run

Convicted sex offender John Tregalles.

A man who was convicted of sex offences he committed in Rochdale twenty years ago has gone on the run.

Police are appealing for the public's help in tracing the convicted sex offender after he was due to be sentenced for the offences yesterday (Thursday 26 September) at Bolton Crown Court.

John Tregalles, from Teignmouth in Devon, was sentenced in his absence from court to 20 years in prison and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life after he was found guilty of three counts of raping a child under 16 years of age and one count of buggery of a boy under 13.

He has also been found guilty of a three counts of indecent assault against boys aged under 13, two counts of gross indecency with a girl under 13 and two counts of aiding and abetting indecent assault on a girl under 13. In addition he was sentenced to four physical assaults on a boy under 13 and one physical assault on a girl under 13.

The charges relate to offences committed between 1986 and 1991, when he lived in the Rochdale area.

Tregalles had been bailed by the courts to appear on Monday 15 September, he failed to do so and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Despite numerous efforts to trace him, he has evaded police.

Officers are appealing for information on his whereabouts so he can be made to serve his sentence. It is believed he may have been spending time in Rochdale and Manchester.

Superintendent Martin Greehalgh from Rochdale police said: "This man needs to be caught and held accountable for his crimes.

"We are doing all we can to find him but I would urge members of the public who have any information on his whereabouts to get in contact.

"I would urge anyone who sees Tregalles not to approach him, but to contact police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 4644 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.