A NEW photo of East Lancashire's most wanted paedophile has been released by police.

The picture was taken just after Joshua Karney, 30, was arrested by South Yorkshire police on a disorder charge in November.

But he was released after giving a false name.

Police did not check his fingerprints against national records and after being issued with a penalty notice for disorder he was released.

He is now back on the run and Lancashire police hope that the new photograph will help them track him down.

Karney was jailed for 15 months in November 2002, for plying a 14-year-old boy with cider and trying to grope and have sex with him in Barnoldswick.

But he has been missing since April 2003, when he went on the run after being released on licence from prison and told to report to a Blackburn bail hostel.

Det Insp Jim Elston said: "We are now releasing this new picture of Karney with a fresh appeal for anyone who may have information on his current whereabouts to get in touch with us.

"We are working closely with South Yorkshire police to establish the background circumstances behind his arrest and his movements within South Yorkshire area at the time."

Because he is one of Lancashire police most wanted he has appeared on BBC's Crimewatch programme.

He is also featured on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) most wanted website.

Anyone with information should call Lancashire Constabulary on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers on 088 555 111