MALMESBURY drug dealer Robert Lewis is being hunted by police after he failed to turn up for sentencing at Swindon Crown Court on Monday.

It is feared the 49-year-old Canadian may have returned to America after admitting dealing drugs to teenagers in Malmesbury.

Mr Lewis was found with 44 individual tin foil wraps of cannabis worth £900 when police raided his flat at High Street, Malmesbury, in November.

The former Dyson worker who was made redundant in September 2002 pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin and two charges of intent to supply at Chippenham Magistrates' Court in January.

The court heard that he was caught red-handed dealing to a client minutes before officers executed a search warrant at his home.

But Mr Lewis, who had been released on bail pending the hearing, failed to show at court for sentencing and a warrant was issued for his arrest and detention.

Mr Lewis came to the UK in 1998 and has twins by his former wife, who lives in Malmesbury. The court heard in January how Lewis's relationship broke down and he became depressed and turned to drugs.

Malmesbury acting police sergeant Martin Alvis said : "His details will be sent to all the ports and airports and if he has left the country and returns he will be arrested."

When questioned by police officers Lewis said he had been selling bags of cannabis to youngsters aged 16 to 22 for six months.

He said he was willing to be punished for his crime but added police were wasting their time by prosecuting him.

He said: "My big beef is the police are saying they have taken out the town's main drug dealer. They did not do that. They do not have the courage to go after the real dealers."