Lincolnshire Police issues details of what sex offender Paul Robson who escaped prison may be wearing

Police have issued new details about what a sex offender who escaped from prison may be wearing.

Lincolnshire Police has warned the public not to approach the 'extremely dangerous' sex offender after he absconded from prison.

Paul Robson, 56, is serving a life sentence for attempted rape and indecent assault and was reported missing from HMP North Sea Camp in Boston, Lincolnshire, on Sunday.

They described him as slim with a bald head and a long goatee beard.

Police initially believed he was in the Boston area but have now said he could be anywhere in the country and as such have launched a nationwide manhunt.

"He may be wearing a black long-sleeved Berghaus top, a grey 'French' t-shirt, dark bottoms, a dark coloured woollen beanie and a light-grey donkey-style jacket with orange on the shoulder area," said Lincolnshire Police.

"If you do see him, please do not try to approach him, or try to apprehend him yourself.

"He poses a real risk to the public and we are doing everything in our power to find and arrest him."

If you see Robson, call 999 immediately and DO NOT approach him.

It has been widely reported that Robson was jailed for life in 2000 after he crawled into a woman's home through her cat flap and attacked her.

It is said he put a pillowcase over her head and held a knife to her throat during the Oxford attack.

Robson, who already had a long history of violent sex attacks on women and young girls, was described by a judge as a menace to females.

He had been in and out of prison for attacks against women and girls as young as eight before he was given the life sentence.

The Parole Board said it had refused Robson's release in February 2021 but recommended a move to an open prison.

A spokesman said: "The Parole Board refused the release of Paul Robson but recommended a move to an open conditions prison following an oral hearing in February 2021.

"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.

"Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public. A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

“Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

“The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.”