A BURGLAR who sent abusive messages to witnesses while on the run from police has been jailed.

Hayden Noel, of Welbeck Road, Barnet, was wanted by detectives after stealing electronic items and jewellery, as well as two shotguns from a Barnet house last December.

The 25-year-old evaded arrest for four months until April when he was tracked down by officers.

Wood Green Crown Court heard that Noel had tried to intimidate witnesses by sending abusive and threatening text messages and making phone calls to them.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, theft, witness intimidation and one count of stealing a car.

He was jailed for a total of three years, with the judge ordering him to serve two years for the burglary, four months for the theft and stealing the car and eight months for the witness intimidation.

Detective Constable Martin Brown, from Barnet Police, who led the investigation, said: “The conviction and sentencing of Noel is encouraging.

“He was given a significant sentence by the judge, who made it clear in his comments that witness intimidation will not be tolerated.

“Noel will be off the streets for a considerable period of time now and this sends out a message to other potential burglars that, if you are caught, you will be brought to justice and could be saying goodbye to your freedom for a number of years.”

The two shotguns, a Beretta and a Valmet, have still not been recovered and police are continuing to appeal for information on their whereabouts.

Anyone with information is urged to call DC Brown on 020 8733 5804 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.