POLICE have vowed to bring one of Lancashire's 'most wanted' criminals to justice after he has spent three years on the run.

Officers have renewed appeals for information about Ajay Kaushal's whereabouts to mark the anniversary.

Kaushal and fellow underworld figures abducted and terrorised Burnley businessman Alec Cunningham in June 2003.

But he went missing in January 2005 when he was due to appear before Preston Crown Court.

The trial continued in his absence and he was convicted of the crime and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Detectives from Lanc-ashire police's serious and organised crime unit have spent the past three years hunting for leads on the whereabouts of Kaushal, 48, originally from Trafford.

And they now believe he has fled the country.

Kaushal's details have been posted on Lancashire Police's most wanted website - at www.lancashire.police.uk - in a bid for information.

Detective Sergeant Dave Rimmer said: "We do not know his whereabouts but we are still actively pursuing him.

"We would like to encourage people to contact us if they have any information about him now.

"We have an e-mail address which has proved useful in the past in helping with our inquiries."

Mr Cunningham, who ran a second-hand shop in Plumbe Street, Burnley, was kidnapped from his home on the town's outskirts and subjected to a 10-hour ordeal at a house in Manchester.

Eventually he was released after cash and jewellery from the victim's shop were handed over by Mr Cunningham's associates.

The kidnappers dumped him in Wythenshawe, in south Manchester, dressed only in his underpants, with duct tape wrapped around his head.

Kausha skipped bail before he was even found guilty of kidnapping, along with six other men.

A Lancashire police spokesman said: "The victim was kidnapped, beaten and tortured, whilst ransom demands were made on his friends and family.

"Cash and jewellery worth £100,000, was deposited in the Manchester area prior to the victim being released.

"In his absence, Kaushal was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. It is believed that Kaushal has fled the country."

The kidnapping was said to have taken place because Mr Cunningham allegedly owed money to one of the gang.

Jurors heard his injuries included stab wounds, bruising to his face, scald marks on his legs and scraping injuries to his back.

Gang members contacted his partner Shirley Murtagh, demanding £500,000 for his safe return, leaving her, his family and friends, facing a desperate scramble to meet the ransom threat.

Detectives have already scored a number of notable victories over missing East Lancashire criminals - thanks to international and internet appeals.

Last year Stuart Murthwaite and Catherine Gillen, from Darwen, who were wanted over a tobacco and cigarette smuggling operation, were detained while running a restaurant in southern Spain called El Padrino - Spanish for The Godfather.

After being extradited back to the UK in July, Murthwaite and Gillen were jailed for three years over the investigation.

People with information about Kaushal should call Lancashire Police on 0845 125 3545, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or e-mail the serious crime unit on socu@lancashire.pnn.police.uk