Police have called on the public to be vigilant after a rapist escaped from his open prison a week ago. Sean Phipps was on a day off in Bristol on Wednesday, June 1, but failed to return to HMP Leyhill as required.
The 51-year-old man is “capable of committing dangerous crimes”, detectives warned. Officials say he can steal clothes, food or bicycles and can use “cries” to gain public trust. Police are urging anyone with information to call 999, BristolLive reports.
Phipps was convicted of kidnapping in 2002 and rape in 1989 and 1993. He had previously used a number of different surnames, including Coutray, Goldthorpe and Perry. He is known to have links to the Leicester, Leeds and Nottingham areas, and police are working with other national forces to find him.
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Sean Phipps (Image: Avon and Somerset Police)
Detective Inspector Keith Smith said: “Sean Phipps will know that he is a wanted man and will no doubt do his best not to be discovered. We would like to assure the public that we are doing everything possible to track his movement and arrest him.
“We ask people to keep an eye on him to help us keep track of him. Although he has access to little money, we believe he is more likely to try to avoid being noticed by staying in quiet areas, whether it’s walking on back roads or potentially hiding away from the public eye, such as a forest. or in an outbuilding.
“He will steal items such as clothes and food to survive, and he will walk long distances or steal bicycles to get around. We also know that he tends to use false sobs to win the sympathy and help of unsuspecting members of society. ”
DI Smith added: “Phips is approximately 6 feet 2 inches. When he was last seen in downtown Bristol on Wednesday, June 1, he was wearing a black coat over a blue top, blue jeans and Timberland shoes. He also wore a black Casio watch, blue glasses and a vape pen with him.
“Given the considerable amount of work involved in finding him and the media attention to him, it is possible that he will try to change his appearance. Our main message to anyone who knows where he is or where he may have gone is to contact the police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.
“Phipps’ experience shows that he is capable of committing dangerous crimes, so we call on the public to help us in every way possible so that we can return him to prison as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how insignificant, may make everything different. ”
If you see Phipps, the police said not to approach him and call 999, giving the reference number 5222130002. Alternatively, call 101 if you know where it may be, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 percent anonymously on 0800 555111 with other information.
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