Police are hunting a sex offender known for sleeping rough around coastal areas, who was convicted of touching two underage girls in Tenby last year.

Fifty-two-year-old Stephen Haydn James, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court last November; after being charged with touching a six-year-old and an 11-year-old in a sexual manner in two separate shops in Tenby town centre on September 16.

CCTV from the shops was recovered and examined, and the following day James (who gave his address in court as of Station Road, Tenby) was identified and arrested.

James was sentenced to 13 months in prison; and would serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.

He was put on the sex offender register for the next 10 years, and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for the same length of time.

Now, this evening (Thursday, June 20) Dyfed-Powys Police have launched an appeal to find James, after he failed to comply with his sex offender notification requirements.

“Can you help us trace Stephen Haydn James, wanted for failing to comply with his sex offender notification requirements,” said a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police.

“Stephen is 52 years old, and of no fixed address, but is known to spend a significant amount of time in the Tenby area.

“Information also suggests he sometimes sleeps rough along the coastline.”

If you have seen him, or know where he might be, please get on touch via:

• https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline

• Email: [email protected]

• Phoning: 101

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org