A LATVIAN builder being sought by police in connection with the disappearance of schoolgirl Alice Gross is a convicted murderer.

Police named Arnis Zalkalns as a suspect after he was seen on CCTV cycling the route by the Grand Union Canal in London where 14-year Alice went missing on August 28.

Detective Superintendent Carl Mehta said the 41-year-old had been convicted of murder in his home country and served a seven-year sentence. He was also arrested on suspicion of indecent assault on a teenager in the Ealing area in 2009.

However, police stressed there was still no evidence Alice had come to harm.

Since Mr Zalkalns was last seen at his Ealing home on September 3, he has not used his bank account or phone.