POLICE in Blackburn are appealing for help to trace a wanted man who was due to be sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

36-year-old John Nicol Thompson of Exeter Street, Blackburn was due to be sentenced on January 21 after previously pleading guilty to his part in a robbery on October 15, 2013 at Edmund Street Stores in Darwen.

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He failed to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 21 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

DC Jo Munro of Blackburn CID said: “We are asking anyone who knows of Nicol Thompson’s whereabouts or indeed anyone who may have seen him to get in contact with us.

“We are actively looking for him, it’s just a matter of time before we locate him and so I would urge Nicol Thompson to hand himself in to the nearest police station.”

Nicol is described as a white male, 5ft 8ins, medium build, short dark brown hair and blue eyes. He speaks with a local accent.

He is thought to have links to the East Lancashire areas of Blackburn and Darwen.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting reference LC-20150130-0201 Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.