A dangerous criminal is on the run after escaping from prison while working as a car valet. John Laidlaw, a 44-year-old former boxer convicted of three counts of attempted murder, broke free from Kirklevington Grange Prison in Stockton-on-Tees on Monday. He was reported missing to police at 4:30 PM.
The Escape
Laidlaw had been regularly allowed unsupervised day release from the prison to work at its car valet service, which is open to the public. It was after one of these shifts, shortly after 2 PM, that he first went missing. He was last seen wearing a navy blue sweatshirt, blue cargo-style trousers, and white and blue trainers.
Background of the Offender
Laidlaw, originally from Hertfordshire, was jailed in 2007 for three counts of attempted murder. The incident occurred in 2006 when he opened fire near Finsbury Park tube station in North London. During the attack, he threatened to kill all Black people, a court heard. He shot social worker and father-of-three Abu Kamara in the neck. He then aimed at 22-year-old Evans Baptiste, who chased him down the street. The bullet only grazed Baptiste but struck 26-year-old Emma Sheridan in the back. Three weeks prior to those shootings, Laidlaw had admitted to attacking a Black motorist. At his trial at the Old Bailey, he was also found guilty of two firearms charges.
Police Search
Cleveland Police are now scouring the area with dogs and drones, and are reviewing CCTV footage in a bid to find the escapee. Superintendent John Wrintmore said: 'John is not from the area so at the moment we have no indication where he may be headed, or if he may have travelled from Yarm train station, either north or south.' He added: 'Anyone who thinks they might have seen John is asked not to approach him, but to dial 999.' The Ministry of Justice has been contacted for comment.
