Ford: New Appeal Over Missing Prisoner

10 June 2014, 14:36 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police have issued a new appeal for help in finding a murderer who has links to London and the Midlands and has been missing for four years since he failed to return to an open prison after he was let out on day release.

Robert Donovan, 57, was jailed after he stabbed to death a man in the street in London's West End when he was 17.

In December 1974 he was jailed for life for the murder.

He was later moved to Ford Prison near Arundel, West Sussex, and left there on day release on June 19, 2010. He did not return and officers have been unable to trace him since.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that Donovan has links to London and the Midlands and may have family living in Portsmouth. He may also be using the alias David Green.

Pc Steve Reed said: "We have been looking for Donovan for several years without success which suggests he has left Sussex and could be elsewhere in the country.

"We need to speak to anyone who could have any idea where he is or where he could be.

"There is nothing to suggest that Donovan is currently a danger to the public but he has not served his sentence so we want to get him back into custody so justice can be done.

"If you see Donovan, do not approach him but instead call 999 immediately.''