Police hunt for ‘very high risk’ sex offender

Lee Shaw, 27, a registered sex offender, appeared at Fleetwood Magistrates’ Court on September 1 for an offence of failing to comply with notification requirements and was remanded on bail to live and sleep at an address in the town.

He has since failed to report to the police and to keep an appointment with the Probation Service.

The last positive sighting of Shaw was in Sheffield on September 15.

Shaw was convicted in 2003 at Edinburgh High Court and sentenced to 18 months for offences of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour after he sexually assaulted a young boy.

He has five previous convictions for failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements – most recently in August 2011.

Shaw has links to Manchester, Lancashire and Yorkshire. He is described as white, 5ft 5in tall, of slim build and with blue eyes and short fair hair. He speaks with a Yorkshire accent.

Det Insp Phil Jones, head of Lancashire Constabulary’s Northern Division Public Protection Unit, said: “Lee Shaw is a very high risk sex offender with a conviction for a serious sexual offence. I believe he poses a significant risk of harm and I would appeal to anyone who knows where he may be to get in touch with us.

“Sex offenders are managed in the community by police and partners, a system which aims to prevent them committing further offences, but if they do not comply with the obligations of their licence or notification requirements, then we will take robust and positive action to locate them, as we are doing in this case.”

l Anyone with information about Shaw’s whereabouts is urged to call the police on 08451 253545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.