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Prisoner on run 'escaped before' Prisoner on run 'escaped before'
(20 minutes later)
A "dangerous" prisoner who escaped from a Swansea court just after being sentenced had previously broken out of prison, it has been reported.A "dangerous" prisoner who escaped from a Swansea court just after being sentenced had previously broken out of prison, it has been reported.
James Stevenson, 29, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, fled court on Friday after being given a five-year jail term for a firearms offence.James Stevenson, 29, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, fled court on Friday after being given a five-year jail term for a firearms offence.
CCTV footage has emerged believed to show him escaping through a city bar.CCTV footage has emerged believed to show him escaping through a city bar.
The South Wales Evening Post has reported he had briefly escaped from a prison in Dorset in 2005.The South Wales Evening Post has reported he had briefly escaped from a prison in Dorset in 2005.
Questions are now being asked about the security at the Guildhall building.Questions are now being asked about the security at the Guildhall building.
I am very worried that people of Swansea have been put at risk Councillor Rene Kinzett on James Stevenson, picturedI am very worried that people of Swansea have been put at risk Councillor Rene Kinzett on James Stevenson, pictured
Rene Kinzett, leader of the Conservative group on Swansea council, said the escape was worrying for residents of the city.Rene Kinzett, leader of the Conservative group on Swansea council, said the escape was worrying for residents of the city.
South Wales Police have warned the public not to approach him.South Wales Police have warned the public not to approach him.
In 2002, Stevenson killed his mother's boyfriend by stuffing newspaper in his mouth and gagging him. He then dumped his body in a river.In 2002, Stevenson killed his mother's boyfriend by stuffing newspaper in his mouth and gagging him. He then dumped his body in a river.
At his trial later that year, Stevenson denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years.At his trial later that year, Stevenson denied murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years.
He escaped from a Dorset prison in 2005 but was caught after half an hour, the Evening Post said.He escaped from a Dorset prison in 2005 but was caught after half an hour, the Evening Post said.
It is thought Stevenson managed to leave a basement custody suite at the Guildhall building before fleeing on Friday afternoon after being jailed for breaching the terms of his licence and possessing a .410 shotgun.It is thought Stevenson managed to leave a basement custody suite at the Guildhall building before fleeing on Friday afternoon after being jailed for breaching the terms of his licence and possessing a .410 shotgun.
He should have been taken from Swansea to Cardiff prison to begin his sentence, with the private security firm Reliance making the transfer, before he absconded at about 1300 BST.He should have been taken from Swansea to Cardiff prison to begin his sentence, with the private security firm Reliance making the transfer, before he absconded at about 1300 BST.
James Stevenson, who is on the run after escaping from court, filmed at a previous court case in 2002.James Stevenson, who is on the run after escaping from court, filmed at a previous court case in 2002.
According to an eyewitness, he made his way across the flat roof of the court building before clambering down a drainpipe and escaping into the city.According to an eyewitness, he made his way across the flat roof of the court building before clambering down a drainpipe and escaping into the city.
Moments later it is believed he was captured on CCTV at the Bay View bar and restaurant near the court.Moments later it is believed he was captured on CCTV at the Bay View bar and restaurant near the court.
Footage shows him walking calmly through the restaurant and out of a door.Footage shows him walking calmly through the restaurant and out of a door.
Sam Wardley, the restaurant's owner, said: "He was very calm, just looked like he was maybe looking for someone he had met, he was waiting to meet here - nothing suspicious at all.Sam Wardley, the restaurant's owner, said: "He was very calm, just looked like he was maybe looking for someone he had met, he was waiting to meet here - nothing suspicious at all.
"He didn't look out of breath, didn't look flustered, very calm.""He didn't look out of breath, didn't look flustered, very calm."
Reliance has launched an investigation into how Stevenson was able to escape and is working with police to return him to custody.Reliance has launched an investigation into how Stevenson was able to escape and is working with police to return him to custody.
The firm said incidents like this were "extremely rare".The firm said incidents like this were "extremely rare".
The National Offender Management Service is also carrying out its own investigation.The National Offender Management Service is also carrying out its own investigation.
The court building he absconded from is often used as an overspill for the nearby main court.The court building he absconded from is often used as an overspill for the nearby main court.
SanctionsSanctions
Mr Kinzett said that Stevenson's escape raised a number of questions, including whether the Guildhall was secure enough for high-profile cases.Mr Kinzett said that Stevenson's escape raised a number of questions, including whether the Guildhall was secure enough for high-profile cases.
He also wanted to know what role Reliance played in what happened and what sanctions it could face if it is at fault.He also wanted to know what role Reliance played in what happened and what sanctions it could face if it is at fault.
"I am very worried that people of Swansea have been put at risk," he said."I am very worried that people of Swansea have been put at risk," he said.
"They have been exposed to a huge risk through the escape of this dangerous man and obviously people need to co-operate with the police.""They have been exposed to a huge risk through the escape of this dangerous man and obviously people need to co-operate with the police."
Stevenson, who is from the Dyfatty area of the city, is described as white, 5ft 10in, of medium build, clean-shaven, with a ruddy complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes.Stevenson, who is from the Dyfatty area of the city, is described as white, 5ft 10in, of medium build, clean-shaven, with a ruddy complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes.
He was wearing a navy tracksuit top with white stripes on the arms and blue jeans.He was wearing a navy tracksuit top with white stripes on the arms and blue jeans.
He has a tattoo of a Chinese dragon on the back of his neck and part of his right ear is missing.He has a tattoo of a Chinese dragon on the back of his neck and part of his right ear is missing.
Anyone with information can contact police on 999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.Anyone with information can contact police on 999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.