Police: Sex offences not linked to prisoner's disappearance

Make text smaller Make text larger

Police believe missing prisoner Shane Todd is being harboured by members of the public, prompting warnings that it is an offence to assist anyone who is unlawfully at large.

The fugitive Prison Farm inmate has been sighted “across the Island, principally in the central parishes, Pembroke, Paget and Hamilton Parish”, according to Acting Chief Inspector Andy Morgan.

Asked if Mr Todd's previous convictions for sex offences posed any risk, Acting Chf Insp Morgan said: “There's nothing whatsoever to suggest that Mr Todd's failure to return to the Prison Farm is connected in any way with the offences he has been convicted of.”

He urged the public not to approach Mr Todd, but to contact police immediately at 295-0011 if he is spotted.

Noting that “we are now seven days into the joint police and corrections manhunt”, Acting Chf Insp Morgan said the announcement was made for residents to maintain “heightened awareness” with the weekend coming on.

Despite the Island's small size, he said, “previous experience has taught us that it is very difficult to locate and apprehend without the assistance of the community.

“We are encouraged by the assistance we have received so far.”

Asked why police waited five days before announcing Mr Todd's failure to report back to the Prison Farm, he said people on the work for release programme normally returned voluntarily, but that police and prison officers had taken action immediately to try and locate the prisoner.

Make text smaller Make text larger

Take Our Poll