Griffiths pictured with a beard but he was clean shaven in court

Former teacher Benjamin Griffiths, from Aberystwyth, carried out the assault on a girl aged nine.

Local MP Simon Thomas questioned why a defendant described as "dangerous" had been allowed bail.

Police said the last contact from him had been in Warwickshire, but admitted he could be anywhere.

The 10-year jail term was handed down at Chester Crown Court in Griffiths' absence last week.

Judge Roger Dutton, who issued a warrant for Griffiths' arrest, said he was an intelligent and dangerous man.

A spokeswoman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: "The last communication with Mr Griffiths appears to have come from the Warwickshire area so he could be anywhere.

"Anyone who has any information on the whereabouts of Mr Griffiths, or has seen Mr Griffiths since 8 December 2004, is asked to contact their local police station as soon as possible."

Fixation

Police said that when Griffiths appeared in court on Friday he was clean shaven.

He will begin his sentence when he is arrested.

Griffiths had denied the charge and another of indecent assault during a two-week trial.

Ceredigion MP Simon Thomas said: "In the longer term, we have to ask how this man, accused of such a serious crime and abuse of trust, can find himself on bail and just be asked to turn up in court."

"There is obviously a risk factor involved that needs to be looked at for future cases."

Mr Thomas added: "We have to apprehend this man - he's obviously dangerous and I'd urge the public, whether in Ceredigion or Warwickshire to be looking out."

The court heard on Friday that police in both Wales and England had launched a search.

During the trial, the prosecution said that Griffiths had a fixation for the girl and had sent her love letters.

The judge said that Griffiths was not a "Christian grandfather-type figure" but a "hypocritical paedophile".

He said Griffiths had corrupted his victim, who had trusted him.

The Crown Prosecution Service has refused to comment.