Ex-law lecturer flees from court as jury considers child porn charges

Police are searching for a former law lecturer who absconded shortly before being convicted of downloading indecent images of children.

Julian Myerscough, 53, a former criminal law lecturer at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, disappeared from Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The jury was considering verdicts over allegations of downloading child pornography and breaching a sexual offences prevention order at the time.

He was found guilty of all counts shortly after disappearing, Suffolk Police said.

Myerscough, who is from the Manchester area but previously lived in Lowestoft, Suffolk, is believed to have left Ipswich on the 1.43pm train to London Liverpool Street.

A Suffolk Poice spokesman said: "British Transport Police met the train at Liverpool Street and found no trace of him.

"Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen Myerscough or anyone matching his description, in particular in the area of any of the stops on the London-bound train, or at any regional sea or air ports."

The service stopped at Manningtree, Colchester, Chelmsford and Stratford.

Myerscough is described as white, 6ft 2in, slim build, with greying hair and was wearing a suit at the time.

Anyone with information should contact Suffolk Police on 101.