Fugitive mocks South Yorkshire Police on force’s Facebook page

Shaun Chamberlain posted taunting messages on a social media appeal by South Yorkshire Police to find him

Shaun Chamberlain (30) from Bolton upon Dearne (South Yorkshire Police)

A fugitive criminal, convicted of blackmail and robbery offences, has ridiculed South Yorkshire Police on the force’s own Facebook page.

Shaun Chamberlain posted taunting messages on a social media appeal by the force to find him following his failure to appear at court after being found guilty of helping to rob and threaten Luke Pendlebury, a 4ft 3ins stage actor.

Commenting on a Facebook post by South Yorkshire Police, which included a picture of Chamberlain, the 30-year-old said he was “laughing” as he had just been beside a police officer inside a shop.

He wrote: “Says sumet when they lookin so hard ive just been in shop at side of a cop lmfao [sic].”

In a further post he claimed that the charge against him was a “set up”. He also said he was not “runnin or hiding”, adding if officers did the job they were paid to do he would be in court.

Police issued the appeal in an attempt to find Chamberlain before his trial began on Tuesday.

Some of the Facebook messages were read out in court and jurors unanimously found him guilty of being part of the robbery in his absence, according to the Mirror.

Four other people have admitted various charges in connection with the robbery.

Chamberlain, from Bolton upon Dearne, Barnsley, not been seen by police since failing to appear in court on 7 October last year.

He is currently believed to be unshaven, with unkempt long hair and a full face.

Members of the public are advised not to approach Chamberlain, but to contact police with any information.