Manhunt launched after three prisoners escape from open jail in a week

A manhunt is under way after a third prisoner in a week absconded from an open prison.

Sam Hawkins and Darren McKay left HMP Sudbury, in Derbyshire, on Monday.

Police have now revealed arsonist Adam Curtling escaped from the open prison on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old was jailed for arson and affray in 2008.

He is described as 6ft 3ins tall, thin, with brown hair and brown eyes. He also has a scar on his arm.

Police say Curtling has links to Walsall and Birmingham and may have escaped in a silver Mercedes C220.

Police have warned members of the public not to approach any of the three men.

Hawkins, 34, who was part of a South London crime gang, was sentenced to nine and a half years imprisonment.

He and McKay, 37, were caught on camera making their escape at 10.15pm on Monday.

They were later spotted hiking down the A515, heading towards Ashbourne.

One of the men was seen carrying two rucksacks, while the second had one bag and a towel around his neck.

McKay had been serving a prison sentence after being convicted of burglary and driving offences at St Alban's Crown Court in 2020.

He is described as being around 6ft 2ins tall, with blue eyes and brown hair.

He is of stocky build and has tattoos on his arms. He has links to Luton and the Harpenden area of Hertfordshire.

Hawkins was serving a sentence for burglary, theft and driving offences after being convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2019.

He is described as being around 5ft 7ins tall and has brown hair and brown eyes. He is of medium build.

The 34-year-old has links to the Bexley Heath, Plumstead and Thamesmead areas of London.

HMP Sudbury is a Category D prison, with 581 prisoners.

Last year, there were 101 absconsions from Category D prisons, 20 of which came from HMP Sudbury.