Police today issued a £500 bounty to help catch a thug who left his victim for dead.

Carlo Dawes was jailed for three years and was freed two years later but breached the terms of his release.

Magistrates issued a return to jail order last Christmas Eve but police have been unable to find him.

They believe Dawes is being harboured in Portslade or Moulsecoomb in Brighton.

Sussex Police today took the unusual step of offering a cash reward for information leading to his re-arrest.

Inspector Steve Curry said: "We want this man locked up again and we would urge anyone who knows his whereabouts to call us immediately."

He added a warning: "Do not approach him."

Dawes, 27, a roofer, of Newick Road, Moulsecoomb, was jailed at Hove Crown Court in September 2002 for what the judge described as a "sickening" attack.

His victim Cliff Johnson was repeatedly kicked and punched in a prolonged assault which ended with one attacker saying: "Let's go. I think we've killed him."

Dawes pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two youths, 16 and 15, were given detention and training orders after admitting their parts in the attack. Three other gang members were never identified.

Father-of-two Mr Johnson, 43, lost three teeth and suffered skull and rib fractures and blurred vision after the incident in Goodwood Way, Moulsecoomb.

He thought he would die in the attack which happened as he left a friend's flat to go home.

At the time he was furious with the "lenient" sentence handed to Dawe, saying: "Its a disgrace. I would rather have been murdered that day because it seems that's what it will take to save someone else's life in future.

"Are they going to have to kill someone before a proper sentence is handed out? I was left in the street for dead. Some people thought I was."

Judge Anthony Scott Gall said: "The public is sickened by this type of behaviour and I am satisfied that this court has a duty to punish you (Dawes) and deter others who might go around with the intention of attacking other people."

Insp Curry said the Probation Service took the case to court on December 24 after Dawes reneged on conditions imposed when he was granted early release.

He said: "We have made extensive inquiries with Dawes' associates and at places he frequented but we believe he is lying low and is probably being harboured.

"We are warning anyone offering this man refuge could be committing serious offences and may face the full force of the criminal justice system.

"We have now exhausted all normal channels looking for this man and are now offering a £500 reward."

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070 999 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.