A male model wanted by police was so unhappy with his mugshot that he offered a more flattering selfie to help with the appeal.

Stephen Murphy, 33, who has compared his looks to David Beckham's, is wanted by police in Lincolnshire for failing to turn up to court.

Officers issued a mugshot to track him down, but Mr Murphy, who previously won the title of Mr Boston, was apparently unhappy with the snap.

After The Lincolnshire Reporter wrote about the police appeal, Murphy posted the new picture of himself under the story and criticised the paper and police for sharing “the worse (sic) picture of me”.

Uploading his own photo of himself, he wrote: “And if you get my name right and don’t put the worst picture of me on, when I’ve been up for three days in Boston cop shop, you might be able to find me. Post this, it’s better for you.”

Murphy, also known as Jr V Murphy, was summoned to Boston Magistrates' Court on July 9 for causing criminal damage in the town on May 8.

However, he failed to show up so is now wanted by police.

The runaway model has mocked the Lincolnshire force on his own Facebook page, writing about them: “I run this town, not you.

“I will say when I come in. I run this town, not you,” he wrote on a Facebook status, which was accompanied by a topless photo of himself with £20 notes on his chest.

This morning he seemed to be enjoying his increased notoriety, writing on his profile: “Looks like I have speeded it up lol I better be careful they might put a most wanted post out for a speeding ticket.”

Lincolnshire police Chief Inspector Jim Trafford told the Standard: “We are aware of some social media posts from a person claiming to be wanted man Stephen Murphy.

“I would urge anyone who knows of Mr Murphy’s whereabouts to inform us as soon as possible, as he failed to appear at Boston Magistrates’ Court on July 9 to answer charges of criminal damage.

“Failure to appear at court is a serious offence.

“Should Mr Murphy himself wish to come forward and attend Boston Police Station, we will be more than happy to speak to him.”

Anyone who has seen Stephen Murphy, or knows about his whereabouts, is asked to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 332 of May 2.