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# Man flees Ipswich Crown Court before guilty verdict, spotted in Portsmouth
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/man-flees-ipswich-crown-court-before-guilty-verdict-spotted-in-portsmouth/
- Published: 2025-02-25T17:23:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:20:08.000Z
- Description: Police are searching for a 71-year-old Lowestoft man who fled Ipswich Crown Court before being convicted of sexual offences in his absence.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Appeals, Crime, #article, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** Paul Ashworth, who may be using the alias Edward John Oliver, was found guilty of three sexual offences after fleeing Ipswich Crown Court during jury deliberations.

**The details:** Ashworth was last seen at court on Friday, 7 February, where he was standing trial. He was not on remand during the trial proceedings.

The jury had gone out to consider its verdicts when Ashworth left the court and failed to return. He was subsequently found guilty of the offences in his absence.

![Paul Ashworth](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1740504140-paulashworth.jpg)

Paul Ashworth (Suffolk Constabulary)

**What's next:** Ashworth is due to be sentenced on 4 April.

**The bigger picture:** Officers have conducted numerous enquiries to locate Ashworth and now believe he withdrew cash from an ATM in Portsmouth yesterday afternoon, Monday, 24 February.

Suffolk Police has been working with partner agencies including the UK Border Force and Hampshire Constabulary following the latest development.

![Paul Ashworth on CCTV](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1740504149-paulashworth-cctv-3.jpg)

Paul Ashworth on CCTV (Suffolk Constabulary)

**The bottom line:** Anyone who believes they have seen Paul Ashworth, or who has information regarding his whereabouts, is asked to contact police quoting reference: 37/8971/25.

Contact options include:

- Phone: Call 101
- Live Chat: Available on the Suffolk Constabulary website
- Website: [https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us](https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us?ref=ipswich.co.uk)

Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: [www.crimestoppers-uk.org](http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/?ref=ipswich.co.uk)

In the event of an emergency, always call 999.

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