Convicted murderer is on the loose (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Convicted murderer is on the loose

10:10am Friday 28th September 2012 in News

A CONVICTED murderer is on the loose after failing to return to HMP Hewell after a day release.

David William Gilbert, 56, failed to come back to the Tardebigge prison after being let out on Saturday, 22 September.

Gilbert, from Penzance in Cornwall, was jailed for life after being convicted of the murder of his partner in 1997.

He was nearing the end of his sentence and was being considered for parole.

Gilbert possibly went into Redditch, Worcester or Birmingham, and was likely to have been travelling by train.

Detective Inspector Robert Bruce of West Mercia Police said that if anyone sees Gilbert, not to approach him.

He said: "Although he was serving a life sentence for murder, he was being considered for parole and the circumstances of the murder lead us to believe he is not considered to be a risk to the general public.”

“However, he may pose a risk to those he develops a relationship with.”

Gilbert is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of proportionate build, with balding brown hair, blue eyes, and a Cornish accent.

He was wearing an Umbro t-shirt, a blue Next jacket, blue Henri Lloyd jeans, and black Timberland boots.

Although he had relatives and friends across Devon and Cornwall, he had little or no contact with them in recent years.

Det Insp Robert Bruce added: "We are working closely with our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police and in the Prison Service to trace Gilbert.

"We are assessing what risk he may pose to the public but it should be borne in mind that he was detained in an open part of the prison and was therefore deemed by the Prison Service to be of low risk.

“We urge anyone who sees Gilbert not to approach him but to contact police immediately on 0300 333 3000.

"Furthermore, we would ask anyone who may be helping him or sheltering him to contact us."