A VIOLENT man who escaped police custody last year is still on the run almost five months later, it emerged today.

Spencer Wellington escaped from Hammersmith Police Station Yard on September 11, 2006, and police have been unable to trace him since.

He was wanted by officers from the Metropolitan Police Middle Market Drugs Project for drug trafficking offences.

A police spokeswoman said attempts at finding the man using police intelligence had been unsuccessful.

Police are now appealing publicly for anyone who may have information about his whereabouts to come forward.

He is known to spend time in the Hammersmith and Fulham areas of London.

Members of the public are advised not to approach him as he is known to be violent.

Wellington is described as black, about 5ft 7 tall, of muscular build, with cropped black shaven hair and brown eyes.

He has a pierced left ear, gold teeth in the front left hand side of his mouth, a scar in the centre of his forehead and three small scars in the centre of his chest.

He has also been know to use the alias names Junior Thomas, Junior Spencer Wellington, Junior Tony Wellington and Sosa Spenser Wellington.

DI Gary Townsend from the Middle Market Drugs Project, said: "Despite immediate searches enquiries by my team to try and trace Spencer Wellington we have been unable to identify his whereabouts and are appealing for the public to assist us with any information they may have."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the project team on 0870 785 7329, or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.