An arrest warrant has been issued for a man suspected of stealing two joints of beef after he failed to appear in court.

Christopher Steven Pain, 31, of Willingale Road in Loughton, is accused of stealing meat worth £44 from Morrisons supermarket in High Road, Loughton, on February 17.

He was scheduled to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates Court yesterday but failed to attend.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Essex Police on 101.