Police hunt 'extremely dangerous' rapist, 56, who fled prison while serving life sentence

Police are hunting an "extremely dangerous" sex offender who escaped from prison at the weekend.

Paul Robson, 56, absconded from HMP North Sea Camp in Boston, Lincolnshire, and was reported missing just before 7am on Sunday, 13 February.

Lincolnshire Police launched a hunt for the convicted criminal, urging members of the public to dial 999 with any sightings.

Labour said Justice Secretary, Dominic Raab, has “serious questions to answer” following the Government’s decision to deem Robson fit for the open prison following a Parole Board recommendation in February last year.

Robson has a string of convictions for sex offences against women and girls dating back to the 1980s.

He is currently serving a life sentence for attempted rape and indecent assault after breaking into a woman's Oxford home through a cat flap while on licence from another jail term and subjecting his 23-year-old victim to a series of attacks.

Lincolnshire Police described the 56-year-old as a "dangerous sex offender" and said while he presents a particular danger to women and young children, he could cause "real harm" to anyone he comes across.

During his fifth parole review, Robson was refused release but recommended for a move to the Category D open prison.

Robson is described as white with a bald head, long goatee beard and is of a slim build.

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Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox, from Lincolnshire Police, said: "We are still working tirelessly to locate Paul Robson and are still working through numerous lines of enquiry.

"He could be anywhere in the country, and we are really keen to hear from the public with potential sightings so we can take this man off our streets.

"Robson is a dangerous sex offender and while he presents a particular danger to women and young children, I believe he can cause real harm to anyone he comes across.

"If you see Robson, please do not approach him, and do not try to apprehend him yourself. Call 999 immediately."

A spokesman for the Parole Board said it had recommended a move to an open conditions prison following an oral hearing in February 2021.

He added: “This was a recommendation only and the Secretary of State for Justice considers the advice before making the final decision on whether a prisoner is suitable for open conditions.

“We will only make a recommendation for open conditions if a Parole Board panel is satisfied that the risk to the public has reduced sufficiently to be manageable in an open prison. A move to open conditions involves testing the prisoner’s readiness for any potential return into the community in future. Prisoners moved to open conditions can be returned to closed conditions if there is concern about their behaviour.”

After writing to Dominic Raab about Robson's escape, the Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed said: “Dominic Raab has serious questions to answer about why such a dangerous criminal was deemed fit to be in an open prison where he could abscond."