Manhunt for escaped prisoner

A burglar from Cannock, who was serving a five-year jail

term has disappeared, prompting police to launch a manhunt.

Simon Kempshall, aged 33, failed to report back to prison officers at Sudbury Open Prison on Saturday.

He has not been seen since. Police have today issued an appeal for anyone who knows where he is to come forward.

Kempshall, of St James Crescent, was sentenced to a five-year jail sentence at Stafford Crown Court for burglary in December 2005.

Derbyshire Police have warned the public not to approach him if they see him but to ring 999 immediately.

Derbyshire Police officers have said they will be working with Staffordshire Police who will be carrying out checks on Kempshall's known addresses and associates in the Cannock area.

He is described as 5ft 9ins tall, of medium build, with short brown hair and green eyes. He also has a number of scars and tattoos.

Kempshall is not a stranger to the courts. In 1997 he was sentenced to six years behind bars for a spate of 14 burglaries in Cannock and Stafford. The court was told he carried out the raids to feed a £140-a-day drug habit and would burgle homes pointed out to him by drug dealers. At the age of 20 in 1995 he was sent to a young offenders institute for two charges of burglary.

When he was 19 he was again before a judge at Stafford Crown Court where he asked for over 50 offences of theft and burglary to be taken into account. Derbyshire Police spokesman James Alan said: "Prisoners at Sudbury are classed as low-risk offenders, however, we would not advise members of the public to approach Simon Kempshall but to call their local police or 999 as soon as possible."