Hunt for ram raider after he absconds from trial

CONVICTED ram raider David Benyon is being hunted by police after going on the run.

The 23-year-old absconded during his trial.

In 2009 he smashed a car into a supermarket before taking the cash machine inside.

Police believe he could be hiding out somewhere in Gloucestershire after he failed to appear during his trial at Worcester Crown Court.

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Detectives are now appealing for members of the public to help them trace him.

Benyon, of Compton Road, Cheltenham, was sentenced to seven years behind bars for his part in the theft.

He had carried out the ram raid in Broadway at 3am on May 5, 2009, when a stolen Land Rover Discovery was used to smash into the Nisa store in Bibsworth Avenue and the cashpoint machine inside was stolen.

Benyon absconded on July 23, during his trial, and was found guilty on July 25 in his absence.

His conviction included burglary, a theft of a Land Rover, a further attempted theft of a second Land Rover, robbery and the theft of a disc cutter.

Detectives believe that he is still in the area, and are focusing their attention on Cheltenham and Evesham, where he has strong links.

Benyon is white, 5ft 9ins tall, of average build and has short, light brown hair.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Watson, of West Mercia Police, said: "David Benyon belongs in jail and it is time for him to face justice.

"In his greed to take cash from the Nisa ATM, he caused severe structural damage to the shop, after he stole a local resident's 4x4, writing it off in the raid. We are also concerned that while he is at large he may be committing further crimes, so we need to arrest him as soon as possible.

"Officers have been actively pursuing a number of leads on Benyon's whereabouts, so far without success."

Anyone with information should contact either West Mercia Police or Gloucestershire Constabulary on the non-emergency police number 101.

Police are warning people not to approach him.

Sentenced with Benyon on August 10 for the same offence was James Visor, aged 24, of Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

Andrew Carl Spence, aged 49 of no fixed abode, was convicted for encouraging or assisting an offence of theft and was given a sentence of nine months suspended for two years and 200 hours community work.