Renewed appeal for man who escaped from Prestwich Hospital secure unit

Reporter: Ask Bury
Date online: 13 November 2006

Police are today renewing their appeal for the public's help in tracing a 52-year-old man who absconded from Prestwich Hospital on Thursday 9 November 2006.

Officers now believe that Michael Murphy (born 19/8/54) may be with a woman who he was in contact with while in hospital. The woman visited Michael and wrote to him. Police have been unable to trace her since Michael absconded. She is described as white, aged in her late 40's and is of a heavy build. She has shoulder-length blond hair and dresses in a bohemian fashion.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier of Bury CID said: quot;During our enquiries we have not been able to trace this woman and are appealing to anyone who thinks they may have seen Michael with a woman matching this description to contact police immediately. We believe they could be anywhere in the country by now.

"I would ask anyone who sees Michael, or knows of his whereabouts, not to approach him, but instead to contact Bury CID on 0161 856 8248."

Michael is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build with short blond/grey hair. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black polo neck jumper, a brown jacket and trainers as well as lots of jewellery. He is from the Burnage area and was convicted of manslaughter more than 20 years ago and an offence of rape in 1994. He was sentenced indefinitely under the Mental Health Act by order of the court in 1994.

He has been detained at Prestwich Hospital's medium secure unit since July 2005, having been transferred by the Home Office from Ramtton Hospital high secure unit in Nottinghamshire. He was last seen by hospital staff at 2pm on Thursday afternoon when he feigned illness and absconded from his escort.