A fugitive found a novel way to try and avoid getting caught by police, by chewing off his fingertips.

Kirk Kelly was so desperate not to be identified by his prints he bit the tops of his digits off as officers approached and then gave them a false name.

But it seems he forgot about his extensive tattoos as police were quick to ID him after pulling him over on suspicion of drugs offences.

Kelly is now in custody facing charges of evidence tampering and obstructing official business, plus counts of falsification and resisting arrest.

He is also wanted in Florida for firearms and drugs offences.