A MANHUNT has been launched for a "dangerous" Worcester man who was involved in a brutal axe murder in 2003 and is now suspected of a serious sexual offence and attack.

West Mercia Police are hunting Ashley Shearon, 48, on suspicion of a serious sexual offence and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On Tuesday officers raided a flat in Windsor Row, off New Street, in the city centre as they sought Shearon, but he wasn't there.

A force spokesman said: "Police need the help of the public to find Ashley Shearon, but are warning not to approach him as he may be a danger to others."

Shearon is white, 5ft 10ins and around 11 stone, with a medium build. He has naturally coloured brown hair that is typically cut short.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org

In 2003, Shearon was jailed for five years for his part in the murder of 35-year-old Michael Kelly in Teme Road, Worcester.

He helped murderer Gerald Edwards, who was given a life sentence, dispose of the body of Kelly.

Edwards killed the father-of-three with an axe blow to the head in their Teme Road flat before borrowing a saw from an unsuspecting neighbour and dismembering his victim's body.

Shearon, who was 34 at the time, admitted perverting the course of justice in helping dispose of the body in Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, and torching the car used to transport the remains.