A soldier due to appear in Colchester charged with sex offences has fled the Army.

Civilian and military police are now searching for Private James Gordon, of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Private Gordon, in his 30s, was reported absent without leave on January 10 when he failed appear before the court martial in Colchester.

The soldier's picture has been distributed to police all over Britain.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We can confirm that a soldier who was due to appear before a court martial at Colchester on January 10 has gone AWOL.

"The Army and police are seeking his arrest as soon as possible.

"At the moment we have no idea where he is but we are co-operating with the civilian police to find him."

The spokesman added: "The charges against him remain unproven and we can't comment further."

Pte Gordon was stationed at Catterick immediately before he disappeared. Earlier he had been sent back from Cyprus, where some of his regiment are serving. It is not thought he was ever stationed in Colchester.

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