This is the face of a paedophile sex beast who is being hunted by police after going on the run.

Alec Moule has not been seen for almost a month after being convicted in his absence of offences of rape and serial sexual assaults on children going back up to a decade.

Moule, 44 – who chillingly has a tattoo of the grim reaper on his arm – committed his offences in Guiseley and was due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on June 16 to answer the charges.

When he failed to turn up he was convicted in his absence and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Moule was last seen on Sunday, June 13, when he signed in at a Bridlington Police Station as part of his bail conditions. Three days later he failed to appear at Crown Court and was convicted, in his absence, of the offences.

Officers from West Yorkshire are working closely with colleagues from Humberside Police as Moule also has connections with Bridlington and the east coast. Although the warrant for his arrest is out officers say he is not currently considered to be a high risk to the general public.

Police have released a photograph of Moule and further described him as 5ft 11in tall, of average build, with grey cropped hair.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “He has several tattoos including a blue rose and the grim reaper on his left arm, and a heart with the words Yorkshire and England on his right arm along with a heart with Alec.”

He added that Moule is thought to have spent some time working digging bait in coastal communities in Yorkshire.

He has also worked as a painter and decorator and has been previously found living rough.

Anyone who has seen Moule, or who knows his whereabouts, is asked to contact the Child and Public Protection Unit at Weetwood police station via 0845 6060606.

Or they can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.