Most wanted Michael Easy who taunted police on Facebook when last on the run refuses to hand himself in

Officers hunting the brazen thug, who taunted police on Facebook when he was last on the run less than two years ago, have spoken to Michael Easy, urging him to give himself up.

But the 29-year-old has continually refused to co-operate with police and he still remains at large.

Finding and arresting the fugitive is the number one priority for all officers across the city this weekend and several of lines of inquiry are being followed up by detectives.

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As reported, the courts released Easy on bail despite assaulting two prison officers while behind bars in Winchester, breaching a restraining order and his history of being a flight risk.

He was due to turn up at Southampton Magistrates' Court for trial, but when he failed to show up, detectives launched a manhunt for the fugitive - and are warning the public not to approach him.

Officers have had conversations with Easy over the phone, urging for him to hand himself in but so far those appeals have fallen on deaf ears.

Easy, who also goes by the name of Darren Dirtt, was last on the run for several weeks in 2013 after a terrifying attack on a woman.

During the nationwide manhunt, which involved hundreds of officers, he mocked police on Facebook, posting pictures of himself in a tacky platinum wig and enormous pink Dame Edna Everage-style glasses.

Police eventually got their man and the dad-of-one was jailed for 15 months for attacking a 19-year-old woman after gate-crashing a party in Alma Road, Southampton, in May 2013.

He was convicted of causing actual bodily harm but was acquitted of possessing a knife and sent to jail.

This latest twist comes after he failed to turn up at court on February 27 when he was due to stand trial for breaching a restraining order and assaulting two prison officers.

He was found guilty in his absence and now police are eager to hear from anyone who knows where he is.

The restraining order was put in place in February last year to stop him contacting an ex-girlfriend but he breached that order in December when police became aware he had made contact with her.

He was arrested on December 29, charged and taken into custody, but in early January he was released on bail by the courts.

The assault on two prison officers happened in November last year when he was serving a sentence at Winchester prison.

He punched two male officers, leaving them with minor injuries and was charged with battery.

Detective Inspector John McGonigle said: “It is a priority for all officers in Southampton to arrest and detain him.

“We are following several lines of enquiries and a lot of work is being done to find him.”

He added: “We would continue to urge anyone who has information about his whereabouts to contact the police or for Easy to hand himself in.”

Anyone with information should contact police as soon as possible on 101.