[A] FRAUDSTER jailed in his absence for an £18,000 swindle in the Eden Valley is being sought by police.
Carlisle Crown Court heard how David Lukac, 25, and 36-year-old partner-in-crime Juraj Szajko conned Slovakian farmer Martin Hrvinik out of cash he believed was being used to pay for a tractor in the Ravenstonedale area.
The two tricksters left Mr Hrvinik stranded in the UK, in July 2016. He had flown from his home country on a one-way plane ticket believing he would purchase an almost half-price tractor which never materialised.
Szajko, of Green Hailey, Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, was handed a suspended prison term and unpaid work after he admitted fraud.
But having gone to ground, Lukac, of Broad Street, Parkgate, near Rotherham, was convicted of duping the farmer after a trial. Earlier this week he was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Today (WED) in the wake of the crown court hearing, a Cumbria police spokesman said: “We would like to hear from anyone with information about the whereabouts of Lukac.
“The case was held in his absence and he has been sentenced to a significant prison sentence. As such, it is vital that anybody with any information which could assist us in ensuring he receives justice contacts the police immediately.”
Anybody with information should contact Cumbria police on 999 in the case of an emergency; by email on [email protected]; on the non-emergency number of 101; or through Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
