Thames Valley Police is stepping up its efforts to trace a chip shop conman who has been on the run for two years. 

Simon Levy, also known as David Michaels, aged 58, is being sought for breaching numerous conditions of his serious crime prevention order by acting as a director of a company whilst disqualified.

The second anniversary of him being handed a four year and four month prison sentence at Oxford Crown Court was on Monday this week. 

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Thames Valley Police launched a fresh appeal to help trace Levy today (Thursday, November 2).

Levy is described by police as a white man, at around 5ft 9ins tall and of heavy build.

He has greying hair which is longer on top, wears dark rimmed glasses, has brown eyes and is clean shaven.

He is known to frequent London and has links to Harrow.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Grahame Lea, said: “Enquiries has been ongoing to locate Simon Levy and we are appealing for the public’s help.

“Simon Levy was due for trial at Oxford Crown Court in October 2021 but he failed to attend. He was sentenced to a four year and four month prison sentence in his absence.

"Levy has still not been apprehended and remains wanted on warrant. It is believed he is living in the London area and is actively involved in the promotion of food outlets.

“If you see Levy, do not approach him and call 999 instead. If you know where he is or may have seen him, please call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43210025621.

“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed to the Oxford Mail on Tuesday this week that Levy is still on the run.

In 2021, jurors convicted him of flouting a company director ban by helping a banker set up a posh London chip shop brand Come Fry With Me. 

The court was told at the time he got to know the woman through her boyfriend, a police officer he met while on day release from prison.

At the time Judge Michael Gledhill KC described Levy, of Charlwood Close in Harrow, as a ‘fraudster and a conman’ – addressing the words to an empty dock, as the defendant had gone on the run months before his trial began.

A part-time cabaret singer and self-proclaimed business expert, Levy’s past involved him chalking up convictions on both sides of the Atlantic, the court was told.

In 2013, he was jailed for three years by an Oxford judge for overseeing a luxury goods business under an alias despite being an undischarged bankrupt.