A CONVICTED sex offender who poses a dangerous threat to children is thought to be on the run in the region, say police.

Darren John Coser, originally from Hartlepool, fled to the West Midlands after being sentenced to a prison term for indecently assaulting and taking indecent pictures of a young boy.

The sentence was imposed on Coser by the Court of Appeal after police and the Crown Prosecution Service challenged Birmingham magistrates' decision to place him on three years probation for offences in June.

Coser was subsequently given a two-and-a-half-year sentence in September, but police found the 29-year-old had absconded after learning of his fate.

His actions are in breach of a probation order and the conditions of his sex offender registration.

Police now fear Coser could be in North Yorkshire, where he has previous connections, and have warned people not to approach him, as he is considered dangerous.

West Midlands Police said that they had carried out extensive investigations to trace Coser, but with no success, and officers now felt it was necessary to inform the public and seek help in tracking him down.

Detective Superintendent Simon Cross, of the West Midlands Police public protection unit, urged Coser to turn himself in.

He said: "I would urge Mr Coser, if he is reading this appeal, to hand himself in at the nearest police station.

"Protecting the most innocent members of society, particularly children, is of paramount importance."

Coser, who also uses the name David John Harrison, is 6ft 2in tall, of thin build, with short dark brown hair.

He is said to have numerous tattoos on both arms and hands, including a large swallow tattoo on his right hand.

In August this year, he was known to have had access to a green Montego estate car, with the registration number G899RNX, and has travelled extensively across the country in the past.

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts or has any further information should contact Rose Road police station, Harborne, West Midlands, on (0121) 428 6038