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Convicted murderer sparks hunt after absconding from prison Convicted murderer sparks hunt after absconding from prison
(about 1 hour later)
A search is under way for a convicted murderer who has gone on the run from prison for the third time while out on day release. A search was under way on Sunday for a convicted murderer who has gone on the run from prison for the third time while out on day release.
Arnold Pickering, 44, from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, failed to return to HMP Kennet in Maghull, Merseyside, after leaving the Category C jail on day release at about 9.30am on Friday.Arnold Pickering, 44, from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, failed to return to HMP Kennet in Maghull, Merseyside, after leaving the Category C jail on day release at about 9.30am on Friday.
The search for Pickering – as well as another inmate who failed to return from day release on Sunday – comes after armed robber Michael Wheatley, known as Skullcracker, was caught by police in east London having spent four days on the run, raising questions about the practice of allowing dangerous convicts on day release. The search for Pickering comes after armed robber Michael Wheatley, known as Skullcracker, was caught by police in east London having spent four days on the run, raising questions about the practice of allowing dangerous convicts on day release.
Pickering last absconded in December 2009 when he was let out from HMP Kirkham to work in Manchester city centre. On that occasion, he had been one of eight prisoners taking part in a controversial scheme run by the Prison Service with Enterprise Manchester, emptying the bins for Manchester council. He handed himself in four days later in Motherwell. Pickering last absconded in December 2009 when he was let out from HMP Kirkham to work in Manchester city centre. On that occasion, he had been one of eight prisoners taking part in a controversial scheme run by the Prison Service with Enterprise Manchester, emptying bins for Manchester council. He handed himself in four days later in Motherwell.
Pickering also escaped from Strangeways in Manchester before he went on to stab a man to death in Oldham in 1990. He was jailed in 1991 for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years.Pickering also escaped from Strangeways in Manchester before he went on to stab a man to death in Oldham in 1990. He was jailed in 1991 for life and ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years.
Merseyside police said on Sunday that he had been risk-assessed as suitable for temporary release on licence by the Ministry of Justice.Merseyside police said on Sunday that he had been risk-assessed as suitable for temporary release on licence by the Ministry of Justice.
Another inmate, Thomas Moffet, 51, from Blackburn, Lancashire, who is serving an indeterminate sentence for a number of robberies carried out in his home town in 2006, also failed to return. Both he and Pickering are believed to be in the Southport area of Merseyside, according to police. Another prisoner, Thomas Moffet, 51, from Blackburn, Lancashire – serving an indeterminate sentence for a number of robberies carried out in his home town in 2006 – also failed to return, but late on Sunday he was arrested by officers from Lancashire constabulary.
A spokesman for Merseyside police said: "Both prisoners were due back at around 4.30pm on Sunday Picbut failed to return and this was reported to Merseyside police at around 7pm. Since then, officers have been carrying out extensive inquiries and working with partner agencies and other forces to locate them and return them to prison. Conservative backbencher Philip Davies, MP for Shipley, called the latest disappearances an "absolute scandal". He questioned why convicted murderers were ever given temporary release when figures which he obtained through parliamentary answers showed 106 had absconded in the past 10 years.
"It's believed both men may be in the Southport area. He said that when he tabled an amendment to the criminal justice bill currently going through parliament which would have prevented the temporary release of murderers, it was blocked by the government.
"The prisoners have both been risk assessed as suitable for temporary release on licence by the Ministry of Justice, although any member of the public who sees them is advised not to approach them but to call the police." "It is an absolute scandal in the prison system. How on earth people like this can ever be given temporary release from prison on licence is beyond me," he said. For Labour, the shadow justice secretary, Sadiq Khan, expressed concern that public safety was being put at risk through the release of the wrong prisoners. "This further incident, coming only a matter of weeks after the Michael Wheatley fiasco, will cause the public huge concern," he said. "These types of incidents are becoming a habit on David Cameron's Government's watch. For almost 20 years there was no Category A prisoner escape, yet on their watch that has changed.
"With Government policy meaning worse overcrowding and slashed staffing levels, the fear is that this cutting of corners is putting the public at risk as a result."
Pickering is described as 5ft 11in, of medium build and with blue eyes. He has tattoos on his arms and chest. Moffett is about 5ft 10in, also of medium build with brown eyes. He has a scar on his right knee and tattoos of swastikas on his arms.Pickering is described as 5ft 11in, of medium build and with blue eyes. He has tattoos on his arms and chest. Moffett is about 5ft 10in, also of medium build with brown eyes. He has a scar on his right knee and tattoos of swastikas on his arms.
Police are appealing to anyone with any information on either of the prisoners' whereabouts to call Merseyside police on either 0151 7773803 or 0151 7773891, or 101.Police are appealing to anyone with any information on either of the prisoners' whereabouts to call Merseyside police on either 0151 7773803 or 0151 7773891, or 101.