Convicted killer on the run from Thorn Cross caught by police as MP raises serious concerns

UPDATED: A convicted killer who absconded from HMP Thorn Cross at Appleton Thorn, has been captured by police.

Shane Farrington, aged 39, who had last seen at HMP Thorn Cross in Appleton at 6.45pm on Thursday, March 24, was arrested by police in the Speke area.

Members of the public had been warned not to approach Farrington who was convicted of manslaughter in 2009 for attacking and killing a prisoner in his cell at HMP Peterborough.

He was the second prisoner to go on the run in the space of three days, with the latest raising “serious concerns” by Warrington South MP Andy Carter.

Mr Carter said: “I’ve spoken with Prison Minister Vicky Atkins to express my serious concerns over the latest abscond from HMP Thorn Cross.

“I accept Thorn Cross is an open prison, and as such prisoners who are housed there may work in the community however I cannot accept that someone who may still pose harm to the public should be serving their sentence there.

“It appears that offenders convicted of serious crimes are being allocated early in their sentence to a prison which is simply not appropriate. I’ve asked for an immediate review of all those prisoners currently held at Thorn Cross, I understand a further two prisoners have been returned to a closed prison.”

“I am grateful to Cheshire Police for the work their officers are undertaking to return this man to prison, I’ve been to the village and I know there is an additional police presence in Appleton Thorn and surrounding area.”