A fraudster facing jail for conning £40,000 from his bosses was on the run today.

Paul Hepple was due before Newcastle Crown Court after admitting a cunning scam at Akyo Nobel paintmakers in Gateshead.

But the 25-year-old salesman failed to turn up and a warrant was issued for his immediate arrest.

He had already missed a conference with his lawyers and an appointment with a probation officer following his guilty plea.

Tim Parkin, defending, told the court: "He is not responding at his home address.

"He pleaded guilty and received some advice as to the likely sentence."

Hepple, of Gladstone Terrace, Sulgrave, Washington, admitted defrauding his employers at an earlier hearing.

He took the money in a bonus racket where he was diverting cheques into his own pocket at sums of up to £5,000 at a time.

He was finally caught when he claimed expences for a training course he had not attended.

Judge Richard Lowden issued the arrest warrant after an application by prosecutor Natalie Wortley.

Akyo Nobel is a specialist firm which make paints for the yachting and shipping industry.