A nationwide hunt continued last night for a serial sex attacker wanted in connection with the murder of a pensioner.

Graeme Jarman, 47, is on the run following the murder of a 77-year-old woman battered to death in her own home.

The former civil servant was convicted for threatening a Wallingford shopper at knife-point before stealing her car in 2003.

He went missing from his County Durham home shortly before Judith Richardson was found dead in Hexham, Northumberland, on August 19.

Detectives said he was a suspect in the murder investigation.

His mother, 71-year-old Irene Jarman, said yesterday: “Graeme, you need to hand yourself in immediately at the nearest police station, it’s the best thing you can do.”

Jarman was jailed for 15 years after admitting indecent assault and robbery. He was released from prison in 2002 and moved to Oxford where he began sleeping rough.

However, while on licence, he robbed a woman at knifepoint in Wallingford before stealing her car.

He was jailed in 2003 for eight years at Oxford Crown Court, after admitting theft.

Jarman was released from prison in 2008 and went to live in Stockton.

He moved to Consett last year, where he received monthly visits from police.

He was declared missing when he failed to appear at Consett Magistrates’ Court to face a minor shoplifting charge on August 23.

Northumberland Police told the Oxford Mail last night they had no reason to believe he was in Oxford or the surrounding area.

Anyone with information should ring 0191 375 2176 or 03456 043043.