Rape inquiry man sighted in hotel

Mr Newton is said to have a dark mole on the left side of his face

A suspected sex attacker who is thought to have struck twice in West Yorkshire has been sighted on holiday in Cornwall over the weekend.

Officers investigating a rape in Leeds in 1997 and an attack on Ilkley Moor in 2006 want to speak to David Newton, 53, from Knottingley.

He is known to have checked into a guest house in St Ives, Cornwall, on Saturday and left on Sunday evening.

Detectives are working with officers from Devon and Cornwall Police.

Police said they had recovered his vehicle, a Land Rover Freelander.

A forensics team has been examining his home in Knottingley.

The search for Mr Newton started after police investigating the sex attacks obtained "new information".

Anyone who sees David Newton is asked not to approach him but to call 999 immediately Det Supt Chris Thompson

In the 1997 attack, a 16-year-old girl was raped in Primrose Valley, east Leeds. Her 11-year-old brother was made to lie in bushes nearby as the attack was carried out.

The pair had been looking for frogspawn in a stream.

The second assault was on a 52-year-old woman.

Det Supt Chris Thompson said: "We know that David Newton is a regular holidaymaker in the St Ives and Helston areas and he often stays at campsites in those areas. He also fishes along the coast."

Police said Mr Newton was wearing a dark blue T-shirt and blue shorts when he was last seen.

He is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, with a ruddy complexion, no top teeth and a beer belly.

Mr Thompson said he thought it likely that Mr Newton was aware police had launched a major search for him.

The detective said the public should not approach Mr Newton if they spot him.

He said: "Anyone who sees David Newton is asked not to approach him but to call 999 immediately."