NOTORIOUS crook Spider Boy was on the run from the law again last night after failing to meet his probation officer - because he was too busy making a film about his crimes.

Charity bosses sparked outrage when it was revealed they were to pay Tommy Laws to make a TV documentary after he was released from prison.

But now he is set to return behind bars after missing meetings with his probation officer so he could star in front of the camera.

Laws, now 21, is making a video warning kids from problem estates to stay away from crime.

Church charity, the Cedarwood Trust, chose him for the role in the hope his story would discourage other kids from following his example.

They hoped his involvement would give him a fresh start in life on the outside.

But the charity was accused of glamorising the issue by involving the young hoodlum in the £15,000 project, after admitting he would be paid for his work.

Laws first shot to infamy as a 15-year-old by escaping from police across the rooftops in his home town of North Shields. His alacrity earned him the name Spider Boy.

Laws was released in May from Holme House Prison in Stockton, Teesside, after serving nine months of an 18-month sentence for affray and escaping custody.

He was whisked away by charity bosses to begin filming - but was warned he must must fulfil the terms of his release or return to prison to face the rest of his sentence.

Now, a warrant has been issued for his arrest after he missed his probation appointment because he was in front of the camera.

Last night, he said: "I don't want to go back to jail. I'm going straight, I've been offered a job as a labourer. I need to stay out of jail to support my son. I'm trying to stay clean for his sake."

A probation service spokeswoman said: "The conditions of a licence are very clear and stipulate that individuals must keep regular appointments with a supervising probation officer, where their attitudes and bahaviour are monitored.

"Thomas Laws did not comply with these conditions and missed two appointments without valid reason.

"The probation service responded to this violation by applying to have his licence revoked.

"The Home Office sentence enforcement unit has sanctioned this, meaning he will be returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence inside."