A sex offender serving an eight year jail sentence was on the run yesterday after escaping from prison officers while getting medical attention.

David Burrows, 20, struggled free from two officers at The Arches clinic in Paget at 10.15 a.m. and damaged a glass door before running off.

Burrows, who was receiving treatment to his eye, was jailed for six years in May for having sex with a 13-year-old girl - his second conviction for seducing an under-age girl in a year.

Last July, Burrows was jailed for two and a half years for having sex with a girl under 14, but while out on bail for that offence, he fathered twins by a 15-year-old girl.

An eyewitness at the clinic said yesterday: "I heard a skirmish in the waiting room and loud voices and loud banging when he hit the door.

"The prison officer had him by the shirt but this t-shirt stretched and tore off. He was then able to run away and went off down Berry Hill Road." Burrows is described as 5'5"-5'6", brown skinned and weighing between 120-125 pounds and was wearing blue shorts, blue sneakers, red socks and no shirt. His hair is in a twist on top and shaved at the back.

A Police spokesman said yesterday: "We consider anyone who is a fugitive from justice is someone the public should be wary of.

"Anyone who may know the whereabouts of Mr. Burrows should contact Police immediately, and we would remind the public that harbouring a fugitive is an offence."