Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Two violent prisoners escape while out on hospital visits

Ian Mackinnon
Thursday 24 March 1994 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

TWO convicted murderers were being hunted by police last night after they gave officers the slip in separate escapes in 24 hours while receiving treatment at hospital, writes Ian MacKinnon.

Peter Heneghan, 32, whom police described as extremely violent, was being treated at Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, yesterday when he slipped his handcuffs and made off, evading two accompanying prison officers.

The escape followed a similar pattern to that of Anthony Watson, 31, who fled from Dryburn hospital in Durham on Monday evening after being taken there from the city's Frankland jail where he had feigned appendicitis. Police warned that they were violent and dangerous and should not be approached.

Heneghan was serving life at Nottingham prison for shooting a doorman at a Manchester nightclub. He was on his way to a ward shortly after midday for a minor operation on his nose when two men in crash helmets and another man approached the prisoner and his two guards. One of the men sprayed CS gas in the guards' faces.

Watson, who was jailed for life at Teesside Crown Court in 1986 for strangling a 19-year-old woman, tricked the guard at his bedside into leaving the room and jumped head first out the window after slipping out of the handcuffs shackling him to his bed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in