Northland lawyer appeals to Daniel Livingstone to contact him

WANTED: Daniel Livingstone

A Northland lawyer who appeared for sex offender Daniel Livingstone at sentencing is appealing to him to make contact as soon as possible so he can be surrendered to police.

Livingstone was living in Upper Hutt after his release from jail last year for the abduction and rape of a 10-year-old girl in Whangarei in 2006.

His electronic monitoring bracelet had been tampered with and police found it when they went to the address. He is on the run and police urge he should not be approached.

A post on the Northland police facebook page said Livingstone was spotted this morning in Tikipunga. Police said if the received evidence Livingstone was heading to Whangarei they would act.

Defence lawyer Dave Sayes represented Livingstone when he was sentenced in the Hight Court at Whangarei on October 25, 2006.

Livingstone was sentenced to eight years jail with a minimum non parole period of five years on the rape charge.

Today Mr Sayes said while he had not heard from Livingstone since sentencing he wanted him to make contact.

"I want him to contact me straight away and I can surrender him to police in the appropriate way," Mr Sayes said.

Meanwhile Northland police said Livingstone if seen should not be approached

Northland Police Criminal Investigations Manager Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said they were liaising with Wellington Police in regard to Livingstone's disappearance.

"In the meantime as Livingstone is a potential risk to the community and possibly to himself then we ask anyone who sees him to call 111 immediately and not approach him," Mr Bourke said

"Livingstone continues to be a risk to the community and needs to be located as soon as possible."

He also warned those who may consider helping Livingstone hide from authorities.

"Any person who is assisting Livingstone to evade capture is not only putting themselves and their immediate family at risk, but also the community."

Mr Burke would not comment on whether the victim or her family were in Whangarei or if officers were keeping an eye on associates in Northland who Livingstone may visit.