Police appeal for help locating man charged with rape

Gloucestershire Police have requested public assistance in locating Vernon Steele, 59, who is accused of rape and failed to appear in court last month. Mr. Steele, who has no fixed address, was granted court bail after being charged last year with four counts of raping a woman. Officers released an image of Mr. Steele, who did not attend the hearing related to these charges on November 22. He is described as being 5ft 6ins tall with a large build and multiple tattoos on both arms. His known connections include Tewkesbury, Berkeley, Gloucester, Worcester, and Bromsgrove. Mr. Steele also has short, dark brown receding hair and a greying beard. A judge subsequently issued a warrant for his arrest following his non-appearance at Gloucester Crown Court. Anyone possessing information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact Gloucestershire Police or to dial 999 if “seen at the time”.