ONE of East Lancashire’s most wanted criminals marks five years on the run next month.

David Anthony Stuart, also known as David Ashworth, is still at large and thought to be living in Malaga.

The 34-year-old from Rishton was jailed for eight years in his absence in July 2005 for his part in a £100,000 ecstasy drug deal.

He failed to turn up for his trial and could be working as a funeral director under one of his many aliases including John Dobson, John Hendon, Franklin Jones and Julian Packowski.

Inspector John Clucas said: “David Stuart was also featured on last year’s Crimewatch shows, but nothing concrete came back.

“He is still being actively sought by us. We will act on any intelligence and seek the co-operation of other European police forces.”

A number of other wanted East Lancashire men are being featured on this week’s Crimewatch Roadshows, which are being filmed live in the county.

They include 24 year-old David John Shorrock, wanted on prison recall to finish an 18 month sentence for serious assault. He has lived in Nelson, Accrington and Blackburn.

Insp Clucas said the BBC show was a ‘useful forum’ to try and get that ‘one phone call’ resulting in a swoop.

“It is another method to try and get the assistance of the public and cross one more off the list.”