A £5,000 reward is being offered in the hunt for the boss of a drugs gang who is on the run after skipping bail in the middle of a trial.

Alfred Philip Dear is the head of a York heroin gang who brought heroin and Class A drugs into the city.

He fled in October, as a trial was underway at Leeds Crown Court that concluded with him being found guilty in his absence for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The dealer - formerly of the James Street caravan site in York - is due to be sentenced on December 20.

Attempting to track him down, North Yorkshire Police issued an appeal in November but he remains on the run.

Crimestoppers has now offered a £5,000 in the hope of encouraging people to come forward with information that could lead to his arrest.

Dear has served prison sentences in the past relating to the supply of heroin, possession with intent to supply heroin, affray and assault.

The 45-year-old is also currently on conditional bail in connection with the organised theft of a cash machine in the Humberside area.

Gemma Gibbs from Crimestoppers said: “Alfred Dear has a history of criminal activity and we are appealing to people who might know where he is to contact us, with the promise that you will remain completely anonymous.

“At Crimestoppers, our charity believes everyone has the right to feel safe from crime and from intimidation.

"If you have any information on the whereabouts of Dear, then we want to hear from you.

“Everyone who contacts us stays 100% anonymous. Always. We’ve kept this promise for over 30 years.

"When you call our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or use our anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org, your information could help keep someone safe from harm.

"No-one will know you contacted us, and it could be your information that makes a huge difference.”