Police hunt wanted sex offender

Francis Patrick Doherty (61) is wanted for breaching his notification requirements by not informing police of his current address in May. As a result, his licence was revoked and he is now being recalled to prison.

The last sighting of Doherty reported to police was at Spring Gardens Post Office in Manchester on Saturday, June 13th.

He is also known to have connections to Oldham and Rochdale having visited the areas previously and so he is believed to possibly be in the Greater Manchester area.

Doherty’s last conviction was in 2014, also for failing to inform police of his address. He was originally sentenced for the sexual assault of a boy at Burnley Crown Court in May 2005.

DC Andy Ashworth, from the East Dangerous and Sexual Offenders Unit, said: “I am asking anyone who may have seen or knows of the whereabouts of Francis Patrick Doherty to get in touch with the police immediately.

“He has not been in touch with the officers who monitor him as per his notification requirements for well over a month which is simply unacceptable.

“We take any breach of notification requirements very seriously and are continuing to try and find him.

“I would also urge Doherty himself, if he sees this appeal, to hand himself in to the police.”

Aside from Manchester, Doherty also has links to Lancashire including Accrington, Bacup and Haslingden. He tends to move around sleeping on friends’ sofas.

He is described as white, around 5ft 8ins with blue eyes, of proportionate build and speaks with a North-West accent.

Anyone with information about Doherty’s whereabouts can contact DC Ashworth on 01254 353851. Alternatively, they can ring 101.