Two convicted rapists on run after escaping Gloucester prison by forcing open door

Police warn public not to approach John-Paul Knowlson or Stuart O’Neill

John-Paul Knowlson and Stuart O’Neill absconded from HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire (Somerset and Avon Police)

Two convicted rapists are on the run after escaping a prison in Gloucestershire by forcing open a door, police have said.

Officers are warning the public not to approach John-Paul Knowlson and Stuart O’Neill, who absconded from HMP Leyhill around 2am on Wednesday morning.

Knowlson, 30, from Bristol, was convicted of rape in 2011 while O'Neill, 29, from Lancashire, was convicted of rape, burglary and theft in 2009. They were both transferred to Leyhill prison last year.

Somerset and Avon Police said both men were serving indeterminate sentences for their crimes.

Knowlson is white, 5ft 5in tall, of medium build and with brown eyes. He speaks with a West Country accent and has a cross tattoo on his right arm. He was last seen in a red tracksuit top.

O'Neill is white, 6ft 1in tall, of medium build, blue eyes and a beard. He speaks with a Mancunian accent has a tattoo with his surname on the base of his neck.

If anyone sees the men or knows their whereabouts, call the police on 999, providing the call handler with the reference 5218193274.