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Murderer vanishes from hospital Murderer vanishes from hospital
(about 4 hours 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 the 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.
Northumbria Police said they would be seeking details of the security arrangements surrounding Nevins from the Prison Service.
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.
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. Nevins was jailed in 2006 for the murder of Mr Jobling on Gateshead's Leam Lane Estate after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
"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.
Lee Jobling died from severe head injuriesLee Jobling died from severe head injuries
The son he never knew about is now 15 months old. 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 is now 15 months old.
Mrs Knotts said he bears a striking resemblance to his father. Supt Gordon Milward said Nevins was taken to hospital with a hand injury and escaped after asking to go to the toilet.
"It's as if Lee was leaving but he left him in his place - all his ways are exactly the same," she said. He added: "I am still looking at, as part of the inquiry, the exact security measures that were in place by the Prison Service.
"My understanding is that he had a pair of handcuffs on, keeping his wrists secured and he was also secured to a guard."
Police with dogs and helicopters were used to track Nevins who Mr Milward said was dangerous, but not a threat to members of the public.
He said he was "keeping an open mind" about whether Nevins had acted alone to escape.
Fatally injured
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. He has previous convictions for violence and was wearing a blue polo shirt, navy Reebok tracksuit bottoms, dark coloured overcoat, white socks and dark grey trainers when he escaped.
The court heard how he had mocked the victim's gasps for breath by singing a song. During his trial, the court heard 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.
Vigilance 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.
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.
"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."
Pleas for mercy
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.
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.