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Convicted killer among three prisoners on the loose after absconding from Derbyshire jail

Three prisoners, including a convicted killer, have absconded from HMP Sudbury near Ashbourne.
(R-L) Lewis Daniel Thornton, 29, Daniel Gerald Ferris, 30, and Rory Allen, 33 have absconded from jail. (Derbyshire Police)

A convicted killer is among three inmates who have absconded from a prison in Derbyshire and are on the loose.

Police issued an urgent warning after Lewis Daniel Thornton, 29, Daniel Gerald Ferris, 30, and Rory Allen, 33, left HMP Sudbury on Saturday.

Derbyshire Constabulary officers have appealed for any information on their whereabouts and urged people to stay away from them.

The first of the absconders is Thornton, who was convicted of manslaughter at Wolverhampton Crown Court in 2016.

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Police describe him as white, standing 6ft 2in tall, of thin build with blue eyes and brown hair.

Thornton has a tattoo reading ‘“RIP Cobra” on his right wrist and “Angel” on his left arm.

He has links to the Wolverhampton and Walsall areas, police added.

Ferris, who was convicted of robbery Birmingham Crown Court in 2018, is described as white, with blue eyes, brown hair and of medium build.

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Police said he also has links to the Birmingham area.

Allen – the third inmate who absconded with Thornton and Ferris – was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin at Worcester Crown Court in 2018.

Police said he is black, 6ft 2in tall, has brown eyes, black hair, a black moustache and is of thin build.

Allen has “Tug” inked on his right arm and also has links to the Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton areas, officers added.

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HMP Sudbury, near Ashbourne, is a Category D prison, meaning inmates are considered low risk.

Government data shows that at least 16 inmates have absconded from the prison in 2019-20 – although it is unclear whether this includes Thornton, Ferris and Allen.

Anyone who sees them, or knows where any of the men are, is asked to call Derbyshire police immediately on 101, quoting reference 906 of December 5.

People can also contact Crimestoppers, which is an anonymous service on 0800 555 111.

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