A CONVICTED murderer who has absconded from an open prison poses no risk to the public, a police inspector has reassured.
Mark Lee, from Grantham, absconded from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire on Monday, prompting a police search.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Grantham man Neil McMillan at Great Grimsby Crown Court in December 1994.
Lincolnshire Police sector inspector Phil Taylor has reassured Grantham people that Lee is low-risk and not deemed to be dangerous.
He said: “There’s some suggestion he could return to the Grantham area but local enquiries are being carried out with friends and relatives and we are satisfied that there’s no risk to the public.
“The victim’s family and friends have also been visited and made aware of the situation.”
Lee is described as white, 42 years old, 6ft 1in tall, of proportionate build, with brown hair and blue eyes. He has connections to Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.
A Prison Service spokesman told the Journal the matter has been handed over to police.
He added: “Prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public.
“Over 96 per cent of prisoners who abscond are re-captured and returned to custody. On re-capture a prisoner will be returned to a closed prison and referred to the police, where they could face further charges.”
Anyone with any information about the whereabouts of Lee is asked not to approach him but to immediately contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.