Police hunt Hale man, believed to have fled to the Costa del Sol (From Messenger Newspapers)

Police hunt Hale man, believed to have fled to the Costa del Sol

10:12am Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

POLICE are hunting a Hale man, believed to have fled to Spain to avoid prison for fraud and money laundering.

Tony Murphy, 40, of Avon Road, was convicted in September last year after a mortgage fraud scam in which he laundered £295,000.

He was due to be sentenced in October, however, he failed to appear at court and was eventually sentenced in his absence to 30 months in prison on February 5.

Intelligence suggests he may have fled to Spain – flying to either Alicante or Malaga as he has contacts on the Costa del Sol.

Police are now appealing to any ex-Pats in Spain who recognise Murphy to call police immediately on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.