A man jailed in his absence for a knife attack which left a man with brain damage is believed to have fled the country.
Mark Roberts, 26, of Argyll Road, Westcliff, was sentenced to five years in jail at Basildon Crown Court on Monday for the assault which left his victim with multiple injuries.
Roberts failed to turn up to a trial in November last year of seriously wounding Paul Lees on July 5 2003 but was found guilty and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On Monday his accomplice Mark Maton, of Argyll Road was also sentenced to four years.
Det Insp Martyn (ok) Pinkney of Southend CID said: "It is believed he left the country early on in the year. If he comes back to the country he will be lifted."
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