Family ‘terrified’ after killer escapes prison for second time

A family has been left ‘terrified’ after a killer sentenced to life absconded from prison this week (Picture: Wales Online/SWNS)

A manhunt has been launched after a man who set fire to a grandmother in her bed escaped prison for a second time.

Vincent Lee has been on the run for more than 72 hours after he failed to return to the open prison where he was serving life for killing Ann Worrell, 43.

He was found to have set her unconscious body alight on her bed in Galon Uchaf, Merthyr Tydfil in June 1986, and was handed a life imprisonment at Swansea Crown Court in April 1987.

Police have now launched an appeal after the murderer failed to return to HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire following a period of temporary release on licence.

Lee, 67, had previously absconded from prison seven years ago.

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His victim’s daughter Mandy, expressed her disgust that her mother’s killer is at large again.

FILE PICTURE - GV of HMP Sudbury. Officers are appealing for help to find two prisoners who absconded from Sudbury Prison on October 11, 2021. See SWNS story SWMDescape. Sam Hawkins and Darren McKay were caught on camera jumping over the fence of the prison at 10.15pm. The pair, who should not be approached by members of the public, were then seen on the A515 towards Ashbourne ? with one of them carrying two rucksacks and the other carrying a single rucksack with a towel around his neck. McKay, who was convicted at St Alban?s Crown Court in 2020 for burglary and driving offences, is around 6ft 2ins tall, has blue eyes, brown hair and is of stocky build with tattoos on his arms. Hawkins was convicted at St Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2019 for burglary, theft and driving offences. He is around 5ft 7ins tall, with brown hair, brown eyes and is of medium build.
Lee absconded during a period of temporary release from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire (Picture: Derbyshire Police/SWNS)

She wrote: ‘Just been informed that the monster that murdered my mother has once again gone on the run from day release yesterday.

‘Been advised to phone 999 if he’s spotted anywhere. He’s a danger to society. If seen contact the police immediately.’

The grief-stricken mother said that Lee’s escape had ‘torn apart’ her family.

‘It’s terrifying for us knowing that he is still on the run somewhere’, she told Wales Online.

Lee is described as white and 5ft 5ins tall and with bald hair.

He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, grey Nike tracksuit bottoms, black boots and blue and black glasses.

Newspaper reports at the time suggest considered Ann was his mother, and grandmother to his son.

Lee was told by Judge Anthony Evans that the brutal way he had murdered Ann warranted ‘extra punishment’.

Derbyshire Constabulary said in a statement: ‘We are appealing for information after a convict failed to return to HMP Sudbury.

‘Vincent Lee did not return to the open prison on Thursday 7 August after a period of temporary release on licence.

‘He is serving a life sentence for murder.’

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