Second inmate absconds in matter of days

Philip Deens, 38, was reported missing from HMP Kirkham near Preston on Sunday after he failed to return from a period of temporary licence.

He was sentenced to nine years and nine months in jail in July 2012 after he admitted wounding a woman with intent in his home city of Liverpool.

On Friday June 17, convicted robber Keith Knight, 26, from Southport, is thought to have left the Category D prison during the afternoon while serving a four-year sentence.

Deens is described as medium build, 5ft 10in with brown hair and hazel eyes. He speaks with a Liverpool accent and is described as having a scar and lump on the back of his head, as well as scars on his arms and “Kay” tattooed on his neck.

He is thought to have links to the Kirkdale, Aintree and Walton areas of Merseyside.

Detective Sergeant Angela Grey of Lancashire Police said: “If anyone has seen Philip Deens or knows where he is, I would urge them not to approach him but to contact police as soon as possible. I would also urge Deens, if he sees this appeal, to hand himself in at the earliest opportunity.”

Knight is known to have links to Merseyside and Lancashire, in particular Southport, Burscough, Preston and Blackpool.

He is described as white, around 5ft 11in, slight build with brown hair and blue eyes. He is known to have a scar on his right arm.

Anyone with information on either man’s whereabouts should contact police on 101 or 01253 604193 or on email [email protected].

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.