FUGITIVE Nigel Rowell is thought to be using dating sites to prey on gay men.

Police have said Rowell, 44, is in Sussex and could be using dating websites and personal ads to steal from trangender and gay men.

Sussex Police think he has been in Brighton, Hove, Worthing Eastbourne and Horsham in recent weeks.

Rowell, who sometimes goes by the name Nick or Nicholas, is thought to befriend potential victims to gain their confidence before stealing from them, but is not thought to be violent.

Rowell, who is not local to Sussex, was released from a prison in Kent on a weekend licence in June and never went back, so he is also unlawfully at large.

A police spokesman said: “Rowell is known to be in the Sussex area and it is believed that he may be targeting potential victims for theft in gay male and transgender communities through Gadar and other dating websites, as well as the Friday Ad paper, and adult video dating web sites.”

He is described as white, 6ft1ins tall with brown hair and blue eyes, and a northern or Midlands accent.

Anyone who has any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Horsham CID on 0845 60 70 999.