DETECTIVES have issued a witness appeal to find a man who has failed to attend court to stand trial over allegations of bribery.

Shfaqat Hussain, 31, of Chapel House Road, Nelson, was due to stand trial at Burnley Crown Court yesterday but failed to turn up. At that point Judge Katherine Pierpoint issued a warrant for his arrest.

He failed to attend court again today and now the City of London Police’s insurance fraud enforcement department has asked for the public’s help in finding him.

A force spokesman Tweeted: “Can you help us track down this guy? He’s failed to show up at court twice and we want him to face his bribery charges.”

It is believed Hussain is in Nelson.

Earlier this year Hussain pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of bribery.

It is alleged that between dates in October 2012 and September 2015 Hussain offered a financial or other, namely £10,000, to a number of people to provide him with confidential details of persons involved in road traffic accidents.

Anyone with information is asked to call 02071 648205 or 101.