POLICE are warning people on warrant to hand themselves in or face spending Christmas behind bars. Officers have released the names of 17 people who have failed to appear at court for crimes including assaults, drug offences and thefts.
Despite searches, police have been unable to locate the people. Mike Milner, warrants officer for Humberside Police, said he also wants Mail readers to come forward if they know where any of them are.
He said: "Many people who skip bail are often out on the streets, committing further crimes on a regular basis, which is why we are keen to track them down, arrest them and bring them before the courts.
"If they don't hand themselves in, it could be the police calling this Christmas, not Santa Claus.
"If they don't, and we find them, the courts will take a very dim view of that and they can expect to be spending Christmas remanded in custody.
"Hopefully, this will prick their conscience and they will see the error of their ways and hand themselves in."
Mr Milner said anyone who knew the whereabouts of the wanted people could call police anonymously.
Those who are caught by police over the Christmas period could face up to two nights in police cells while the courts are closed.
"If somebody is picked up on Christmas Eve, they will most likely be spending Christmas Day and all of Boxing Day in the cells," Mr Milner said.
"It will go in their favour to hand themselves in, but we also need the help of the public.
"The problem is that the addresses they have supplied to the court are no longer the address they now reside at.
"I would ask the public to call us with details of a current place of residence, a workplace or friends' or relatives' houses they may visit.
"These people who are wanted could live near you and you could prevent these individuals from committing further crime in your area.
"Any calls to us will be treated in the strictest of confidence and any information, large or small, will be looked into."
Mr Milner said previous campaigns urging people wanted on warrant to hand themselves in around Christmas had been successful.
He said: "We have had a tremendous response in previous years, so hopefully this year will be the same."
Call the Hull warrants office on 01482 578681 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
The 17 people wanted on warrant by Humberside Police• Matthew Barber, 25, wanted for obstructing police. Last known address is Albert Avenue, west Hull.
• Lewis Biggs, 21, wanted for public order offence. Last known address is Davidstow Close, Bransholme.
• Richard Bonanjah, 48, wanted for drink-driving. Last known address is St Hilda Street, west Hull.
• Daniel Daddy, 30, wanted for assault. Last known address is Barnsley Buildings, east Hull.
• Andrew Donnelly, 43, wanted for handling stolen goods. Last known address is Sherburn Street, east Hull.
• Colleen Finnegan, 49, wanted for assault. Last known address is Vernon Road, Bridlington.
• Paul Goodwin, 37, wanted for breaching a court order. Last known address is Haydock Garth, Bransholme.
• Gavin Headley, 34, wanted for criminal damage. Last known address is in Barmby Moor, near Pocklington.
• Artur Kokoas, 24, wanted for assault. Last known address is Newland Avenue, west Hull.
• David Mattinson, 33, wanted for drugs offences. Last known address is Lyric Close, west Hull.
• Michael Moore, 24, wanted for assault. Last known address is Priory Road, west Hull.
• Victoria Mullenger, 37, wanted for shop theft. Last known address is Cholmley Street, west Hull.
• Anthony Overton, 51, wanted for shop theft. Last known address is Hill Rise, Market Weighton.
• Katie Rose, 29, wanted for making off without payment. Last known address is Richmond Street, Bridlington.
• John Stark, 70, wanted for shop theft. Last known address is Reynoldson Street, west Hull.
• Shaun Walker, 23, wanted for theft. Last known address is Dibsdane, Orchard Park.
• Anthony Wheeldon, 25, wanted for drug offences and breaching a court order. Last known address is Beverley Road, west Hull.
