A WARRANT has been issued for a prolific con-man - dubbed the 'Headington Door Knocker' - after he failed to attend court for breaching a community order.

James Lennon, of no fixed abode, was handed a suspended sentence in November after a six-month crime wave of fraud offences across the city.

In each of those offences the 45-year old preyed on the generosity of the public, making up fake accounts of being locked out of his house before asking his victims for cash for 'travel expenses.'

He claimed as part of his scam to be an Oxford University engineer at Keble College. Each time his victim's would pay up and each time Lennon was never heard from again.

At his sentencing at Oxford Magistrates' Court last year Lennon was given a 32-week jail term, suspended for 18 months for all four counts of fraud by false representation.

He was also made subject to a community order to include rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days.

At the same court yesterday Lennon was set to appear for allegedly breaching this order by failing to attend supervision on November 5, 14 and 26 as well as December 5.

He is also alleged to have failed to keep in touch and notify or seek permission to change his address.

Despite a morning listing at the court by the afternoon Lennon had not appeared and the National Probation Service told magistrates that they were unable to explain his absence.

A warrant was duly issued and will be executed by bailiffs.