Hunt as fire killer Shakeil Shazad flees from jail
On-the-run killer arsonist Shakeil Shazad found 'confused'
(about 2 hours later)
A "full scale manhunt" has begun to find a killer who fled jail while serving an 18-year term for causing the deaths of three generations of a family.
A convicted multiple killer who absconded from jail has been found, police said.
Shakeil Shazad, 33, was convicted of eight counts of manslaughter at Leeds Crown Court after a house fire in Birkby, West Yorkshire in 2002.
Shakeil Shazad, 33, fled jail on Wednesday while serving an 18-year term for causing the deaths of three generations of a West Yorkshire family.
He left Sudbury jail, Derbyshire, on a work licence on Wednesday.
He was convicted of eight counts of manslaughter at Leeds Crown Court after a house fire in Birkby, West Yorkshire, in 2002.
West Yorkshire Police said finding him was "a top priority".
Shazad was found "confused" on a road in Staffordshire.
Det Supt Lisa Griffin, who is the senior investigating officer on the case, said the force was working with colleagues in Derbyshire.
'Terrible crime'
Ms Griffin said: "Finding Shazad is a top priority for the force and we are putting full resources into tracing his whereabouts.
"It is imperative that we find him and place him back behind bars to serve the full sentence for what was a terrible crime.
"It claimed the lives of five children and three adults, leaving a family and a community absolutely devastated."
Shazad is described as Asian, around 5'6" tall with short black hair, a beard and brown eyes.
Ms Griffin added: "He is known to have connections in Huddersfield. However, we are working closely with Derbyshire Constabulary and keeping an open mind as to where he may be."
