A CONVICTED sex offender who went on the run from Southampton has been found – nearly 40 miles away.

Police launched a hunt for 49-year-old Leonard Ayres, from Lordshill, after he went missing over the weekend.

He was last seen at his supervised living accommodation at 9.45pm on Sunday night.

Officers urged the public not to approach him as they say he is schizophrenic and had no medication with him.

They warned his lack of medication could "cause him to act in an unreasonable manner".

Leonard had been convicted of sexual offences in the past and was managed under multi-agency public protection arrangements.

While he has no recent history of offending, Hampshire Constabulary say he was convicted of sex offences in 2001, and in 2006 was convicted of sexual activity with a child, and has served sentences for the offences.

Police have now confirmed Ayres had been located in Poole, Dorset.

A Hampshire Police spokesperson said: "We can now confirm Leonard Ayres from Lordshill has been located in Poole, Dorset.

"Thank you to all those who shared our appeal."