Police today appealed for a convicted murderer to give himself up after a confirmed sighting in the Brighton area.

Richard Crawford, 41, is thought to have travelled to the city after failing to turn up for an appeal hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh six weeks ago.

Despite a police appeal for information, Crawford is still at large. However, police today said they had received one confirmed positive sighting yesterday in the Withdean area of the city.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "The public response has been truly remarkable. Over 100 calls have been received since the appeal. We have one positive sighting at an address in Withdean, Brighton, yesterday.

"Sussex Police are appealing for Mr Crawford to give himself in, either to contact local police or phone his solicitor."

She added: "Two officers from Scotland were in Brighton yesterday. Police are dealing with the 100 calls."

Crawford, from Paisley, near Glasgow, was jailed for life in February 2000 for the murder and rape of Mary Lynch, 87, and ordered to serve eight years for the attempted rape of 79-year-old Mary Dorans.

He was released on bail after appealing against his conviction and arrived at court for a hearing on July 12, but vanished before the case was called.

Police have warned people not to approach Crawford, who they say is a danger to the elderly, particularly women.

The Crown Office has issued a photograph of Crawford, who is described as 5ft 10in with brown hair and deep-set eyes.