More than 20 calls made to police in hunt for sex offender who may be living as a man or woman

The plea was made on the BBC One show last night as officers try to search for a convicted sex offender who has been on the run for several months.

Today, Durham Constabulary said it had received "potentially useful info" in calls, with the leads now being followed up.

In November last year at Durham Crown Court, Lisa Hauxwell, 48, was sentenced in her absence to 14 years in prison for a number sexual assaults, which

took place in the Newton Aycliffe area in 2001 and 2002.

Hauxwell, who was born in Darlington and still has links to the town, had been charged with the offences in 2015 under the name Craig John Hauxwell.

Police believe Hauxwell could possibly still be living as a man.

Her last known address was in Leeds but there has been no record of her at that property for many months.

Despite extensive inquiries since then police have been unable to trace Hauxwell so she can begin serving her sentence.

Viewers to Crimewatch were shown images of her living as a man and a woman as part of its Wanted Faces segment.

Police say Hauxwell speaks with a stutter and when last seen on CCTV in the West Yorkshire area.

Last year she had bleached blonde, shoulder length hair.

Durham Constabulary has said it has carried out exhaustive inquiries to trace her which are continuing.

There has been no activity on her bank account for several months or record of dealings with agencies such as the DWP or HMRC and no confirmed sightings of her

since she was recorded on a security camera at a petrol station in Dronfield, Derbyshire in April 2016.

Hauxwell was convicted of two rapes and seven indecent assaults and police hope the appeal will bring her to justice and see her begin her prison sentence.

Anyone who still has information which can help can call police on 101.