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| Murderer on run from open prison | Murderer on run from open prison |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Gwent Police are searching for a convicted murderer who absconded from Prescoed open prison in Monmouthshire in July, it has been revealed. | Gwent Police are searching for a convicted murderer who absconded from Prescoed open prison in Monmouthshire in July, it has been revealed. |
| Lee Dewhurst, 35, from Rochdale,Greater Manchester, did not return to the jail near Usk on 11 July but officers only confirmed he was missing this weekend. | Lee Dewhurst, 35, from Rochdale,Greater Manchester, did not return to the jail near Usk on 11 July but officers only confirmed he was missing this weekend. |
| He is the seventh inmate to abscond in the last three months and police warn he should not be approached. | He is the seventh inmate to abscond in the last three months and police warn he should not be approached. |
| Dewhurst was jailed for life for murder at Liverpool Crown Court in 1992. | Dewhurst was jailed for life for murder at Liverpool Crown Court in 1992. |
| Gwent Police officers are working with West Yorkshire Police to trace him. | Gwent Police officers are working with West Yorkshire Police to trace him. |
| A Gwent force spokeswoman said that an investigation was launched as soon as the prisoner disappeared in July to find him, but at that time it was not thought necessary to inform the public. | |
| However, Dewhurst is since believed to have been involved in incidents in Halifax of Huddersfield and it had now been decided to put out an appeal to help find him. | |
| He is described as white, 5ft 8in (1.72m) tall and of stocky build. He has dark, cropped hair and balding and sometimes has a goatee beard. | He is described as white, 5ft 8in (1.72m) tall and of stocky build. He has dark, cropped hair and balding and sometimes has a goatee beard. |
| Gay community | Gay community |
| Det Insp Gary Stephenson from Calderdale CID, West Yorkshire Police said: "West Yorkshire Police believe he may have been in the Halifax or Huddersfield area during July and visited events attended by the gay community and we would urge people not to approach him. | Det Insp Gary Stephenson from Calderdale CID, West Yorkshire Police said: "West Yorkshire Police believe he may have been in the Halifax or Huddersfield area during July and visited events attended by the gay community and we would urge people not to approach him. |
| "He is also originally from Greater Manchester and may have travelled to that area. " | "He is also originally from Greater Manchester and may have travelled to that area. " |
| News of Dewhurst's disappearance follows a number of other abscondings from Prescoed over the summer - including those of two child rapists who had just been transferred there. | News of Dewhurst's disappearance follows a number of other abscondings from Prescoed over the summer - including those of two child rapists who had just been transferred there. |
| These have raised concerns among local people and politicians who are arguing for a review of the policy of housing sex offenders there. Harvey Willets, 29, who was jailed for drugs offences, was last seen last Sunday at the prison. | These have raised concerns among local people and politicians who are arguing for a review of the policy of housing sex offenders there. Harvey Willets, 29, who was jailed for drugs offences, was last seen last Sunday at the prison. |
| Another inmate Harvey Willets disappeared last weekend | Another inmate Harvey Willets disappeared last weekend |
| In July, paedophiles John Elms and Martin Aspinall were on the run for two days. | In July, paedophiles John Elms and Martin Aspinall were on the run for two days. |
| A day after Elms and Aspinall absconded, Marc Andrew Barnett, 26, who was serving a sentence for burglary with intent to steal, also left the open prison. | A day after Elms and Aspinall absconded, Marc Andrew Barnett, 26, who was serving a sentence for burglary with intent to steal, also left the open prison. |
| He was found near Caerleon the following day. | He was found near Caerleon the following day. |
| Later, a 44-year-old man who was convicted of grievous bodily harm failed to return from home leave. He was arrested the following week. | |
| Also in August, the Home Office said a 33-year-old inmate - sentenced for dishonesty and driving offences - had failed to return while out on licence. | Also in August, the Home Office said a 33-year-old inmate - sentenced for dishonesty and driving offences - had failed to return while out on licence. |