A SHAMELESS fugitive who has been on the run from Wiltshire Police for three months has brought further embarrassment on the force by sending them personalised Christmas cards.

Lee Mapstone, 36, from Penhill, is wanted by police for robbery and kidnap, and has been on the run since September 25.

Last month Mapstone first taunted cops by taking pictures outside police stations and posting them on Facebook.

He took a picture outside London’s Paddington Green Police Station and added the caption: “Was going to hand myself in but had change of heart.”

But this week, the fugitive has taken it one step further by sending a festive letter to the inspector who initially appealed for witnesses to help catch the 36-year-old.

At midnight on December 1, Mapstone started posting daily photos on his Facebook page of him opening his advent calendar and said he was “100 per cent confident” that the police would not arrest him.

Mapstone wrote in the card: “I hope you have a very Merry Christmas because I certainly will be, mate, anyways, got things to do. From ya pal Lee Mapstone.”

He enclosed a postcard with photos of London tourist spots in his card to Gablecross Police Station and added: “I hope you lot are having a great time because I’m have a great time in London. Love Lee Mapstone.”

Mapstone is also wanted on recall to prison for breaching his licence for grievous bodily harm and burglary two years ago.

His previous ‘holiday snaps’, as he calls them, see him at Buckingham Palace, The Ritz Hotel and other tourist spots in the capital.

He took a snap of New Scotland Yard and wrote: “Thought I would pop in with Brenden to say hi, but there ****ing shut. Probably sitting about eating doughnuts... lol.”

He also posted a snap of six uniformed police officers standing beside marked motorbikes and said: “Fat lazy *****rds just if they knew who I was all they do is eat doughnuts and drink coffee.”

Police have previously warned members of the public against approaching Mapstone, described as white, 6ft (183cm) tall and of medium build.

He has a tattoo of the name ‘Tracy’ on his neck and has a heart tattoo on his right arm.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “Lee Mapstone is a convicted, violent offender who is wanted for two very serious offences of kidnap and robbery.

“We are reissuing our appeal for the public’s help in locating him. We would urge anyone with information to contact us immediately.

“If you see him please do not approach him but instead call 999 and give police his exact location, a description of what he is wearing and any items he may be carrying.

“Any other information can be given by calling 101.

“If you would prefer to give information anonymously then you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”