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Murderer vanishes from hospital Murderer vanishes from hospital
(31 minutes later)
A police manhunt has been launched after a convicted murderer of a disabled man escaped from a hospital.A police manhunt has been launched after a convicted murderer of a disabled man escaped from a hospital.
Lee Nevins, 24, gave prison guards the slip while being treated at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Tuesday.Lee Nevins, 24, gave prison guards the slip while being treated at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Tuesday.
He is serving a minimum 17-year term at a top-security Frankland Prison, in Durham for killing Lee Jobling, 20.He is serving a minimum 17-year term at a top-security Frankland Prison, in Durham for killing Lee Jobling, 20.
Angela Knotts, the victim's aunt, said she could not comprehend how Nevins had escaped and appealed to the public to trace him.Angela Knotts, the victim's aunt, said she could not comprehend how Nevins had escaped and appealed to the public to trace him.
'Capable of murder''Capable of murder'
Mrs Knotts, who fostered her nephew after his mother's death, said: "I just cannot comprehend how he got away.Mrs Knotts, who fostered her nephew after his mother's death, said: "I just cannot comprehend how he got away.
"There are so many slip-ups in the system to let someone as dangerous as this escape."There are so many slip-ups in the system to let someone as dangerous as this escape.
"We put in an appeal for anyone who has information to contact the police."We put in an appeal for anyone who has information to contact the police.
"He is capable of murder and he could murder someone else.""He is capable of murder and he could murder someone else."
Mr Jobling's girlfriend, Samantha Clark, now 18, had been intending to tell him that she was pregnant on the night he died.
The son he never knew about, Eeron Lee Jobling-Clark, is now 15 months old.
Mrs Knotts says he bears a striking resemblance to his father.
"It's as if Lee was leaving but he left him in his place - all his ways are exactly the same," she said.
Nevins is described as white, 5ft 11in tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and an oval-shaped face.Nevins is described as white, 5ft 11in tall, with fair hair, blue eyes and an oval-shaped face.
He was jailed in 2006 for the murder of Mr Jobling on Gateshead's Leam Lane Estate after the court heard how he had mocked the victim's gasps for breath by singing a song. He was jailed in 2006 for the murder of Mr Jobling on Gateshead's Leam Lane Estate.
The court heard how he had mocked the victim's gasps for breath by singing a song.
Vigilance urgedVigilance urged
Nevins, who has previous convictions for violence, was wearing a blue polo shirt, navy Reebok tracksuit bottoms, dark coloured overcoat, white socks and dark grey trainers when he escaped.Nevins, who has previous convictions for violence, was wearing a blue polo shirt, navy Reebok tracksuit bottoms, dark coloured overcoat, white socks and dark grey trainers when he escaped.
Northumbria Police said the prisoner has two fingers taped together.Northumbria Police said the prisoner has two fingers taped together.
Superintendent Janet Richards said there was no information to suggest Nevins posed a threat to the public at large, but advised the public not to approach him.Superintendent Janet Richards said there was no information to suggest Nevins posed a threat to the public at large, but advised the public not to approach him.
"We would ask the public to be vigilant," she said."We would ask the public to be vigilant," she said.
"If anyone recognises this man and has any idea of his whereabouts they should ring 999 straightaway.""If anyone recognises this man and has any idea of his whereabouts they should ring 999 straightaway."
Head injuriesHead injuries
Nevins was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of the murder of Mr Jobling.Nevins was found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of the murder of Mr Jobling.
The court heard that Nevins and another man, who were drunk, gatecrashed a party and taunted Mr Jobling, who had been left with a limp and a brain injury after falling from a bridge in 2001.The court heard that Nevins and another man, who were drunk, gatecrashed a party and taunted Mr Jobling, who had been left with a limp and a brain injury after falling from a bridge in 2001.
They attacked him, ignoring his pleas for mercy, and left him blood-soaked and fatally injured.They attacked him, ignoring his pleas for mercy, and left him blood-soaked and fatally injured.
The court heard that as Mr Jobling struggled for breath and started grunting, they began singing Old MacDonald Had A Farm.The court heard that as Mr Jobling struggled for breath and started grunting, they began singing Old MacDonald Had A Farm.
Mr Jobling died 19 days later from head injuries on 28 April 2006.Mr Jobling died 19 days later from head injuries on 28 April 2006.