An on-the-run paedophile spent years hiding in plain sight as a Big Issue seller in Falmouth before being caught by police last month.

Andrew Simmonds disappeared from his Wiltshire home in 2012 after after being arrested and bailed in connection with the possession of indecent images of children.

He later appeared in Falmouth, where for years he has been a well-known and well-liked Big Issue seller, known by the alias of Colin, who was often to be seen around town with his trademark skeleton dog figure.

But an officer from Wiltshire Police, who had previously worked on the case, was on holiday in the town when he recognised the offender. When he returned to work he checked to see if the case was still outstanding, and when he found it was he contacted Falmouth Police to let them know they had suspected paedophile in the town.

On Sunday, May 28, Falmouth Police arrested 'Colin' in Church Street, and he was returned to Wiltshire. The 57 year-old appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Tuesday, May 30, where he pleaded guilty to charges of making and possessing indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography and failing to surrender to police bail.

Simmonds arrived in Falmouth in 2013, and spent the last four years working on the streets, where he was a common sight selling magazines outside Natwest or Boots, and even got on well with many local traders.

Regulars at The Front pub on Custom House Quay, where he used to go for a drink following a day at his pitch, said they were "shocked and surprised" when they found out the truth last week.

One customer, who did not wish to be named, said: "He just seemed like a normal transient, doing his own thing. Living the lifestyle he wanted to - that was the image he created for himself."

He added: "I don't think any of us knew anything about it."

Speaking to the Packet in 2014 for an article about beggars in the town, he said he had been homeless for four years, due to a “series of different circumstances.”

He said: “It works for me. It’s a tough life, but I do enjoy it. I couldn’t go begging myself and I understand those that do, but to say you’re homeless when you’re not is not right.”

He also got on well with local police officers, and was brazen enough to put on a suit and join the crowds for the funeral of celebrated local PC Andy Hocking, despite a large police presence.

A representative of Boots chemists on Market Street, where Simmonds used to have a pitch, said every day people would stop and chat, give him food, and "some people have even allowed him into their house to shower."

They said: "So we were massively disappointed, because you were rooting for the guy - he said it was a way of life. Everyone's just disgusted to find out what actually happened."

There is no indication that he committed any criminal acts while in Falmouth, and indeed he was known for giving loose change to charity shops in the town.

Inspector Ian Thompson of Falmouth Police said once the force was tipped off by Wiltshire Police "we acted on that information as quickly as we possibly could and took action as quickly as we could for any other crime."

He added: "It was a set of unfortunate circumstances that he was able to evade detection for some time, because he had previously given us false details.

A spokesperson for The Big Issue added: "We were entirely unaware of this person’s history, and were shocked and appalled to hear news of his past offences.

"The Big Issue works closely with police forces up and down the country because both parties recognise the value in providing those on the margins of society with a means to earn a legitimate income and to become more visible within their communities."

Simmonds will return to Swindon Crown Court on June 19 for sentencing.