Lisa Hauxwell was convicted of a number of sexual assaults last year and was sentenced in her absence to 14 years in prison.

The TV appeal comes after Hauxwell spent several months on the run, having been sentenced at Durham Crown Court in November.

The string of sex assaults took place in the Newton Aycliffe area in 2001 and 2002. Hauxwell, who was born in Darlington and still has links to the town had been charged with the offences in 2015 under the name Craig John Hauxwell.

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Police say the 48-year-old could possibly still be living as a man. Her last known address was in Leeds but there has been no record of her at that property for many months.

Despite extensive enquiries since then police have been unable to trace Hauxwell so she can begin serving her sentence.

Tonight's Crimewatch programme, on BBC1 at 9pm, will feature photos of Hauxwell as both male and female in its ‘Wanted Faces’ segment, in a bid to bring her to justice.

Hauxwell speaks with a stutter and when last seen on CCTV footage in the West Yorkshire area, last year, she had bleached blonde, shoulder length hair.

“We have carried out exhaustive enquiries to trace Lisa Hauxwell and these are continuing,” said Det Insp Yvonne Dutson.

“There has been no activity on her bank account for several months, no record of any dealings with agencies such as the DWP or HMRC and no confirmed sightings of her since she was recorded on a security camera at a petrol station in Dronfield, Derbyshire in April 2016.

“Hauxwell was convicted of two rapes and seven indecent assaults, which were truly horrendous crimes.

"We hope the appeal on Crimewatch will bring new information which ultimately will result in her being locked up and sent to prison to begin her sentence.” A