POLICE are hunting a man who caused more than £20,000 damage by defecating on trains.

On May 1 Bonney Eberendu, who had been awaiting sentence for committing criminal damage offences, escaped from a hospital where he had been undergoing a mental health assessment.

British Transport Police are now appealing for help from the public to track him down.

The 36-year-old homeless man was arrested by police in October last year after CCTV images of him were circulated.

Eberendu later pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court to 22 offences of causing criminal damage across the railway network in the south and south-east of England.

He had smeared human excrement inside carriages over a three-month period.

Eberendu was undergoing the mental health assessment ahead of a sentencing hearing expected later this month.

British Transport Police spokesman Detective Constable Donna Fox said: "We are extremely concerned for his wellbeing and are urging any members of the public who may see him travelling on the transport network to alert police immediately.

"Police are circulating his image as a wanted person. Anyone who sees him should call 0800 405040."