A dangerous inmate who walked out of an open prison in Cheshire has been apprehended by police in Greater Manchester, authorities have confirmed.
Escape and Manhunt
Kieran Cameron, aged 43, absconded from HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington on Tuesday, January 6. He was serving a substantial 23-year sentence for a brutal attempted murder committed in Dorset back in 2016. Following his disappearance, Cheshire Police launched a public appeal, urging people to report any sightings but warning them not to approach the fugitive.
The search concluded on Wednesday evening when officers from the Cheshire Police Serious and Organised Crime unit successfully located Cameron. He was found and arrested in the Hulme area of Greater Manchester. In a statement, the force expressed relief at his capture, bringing a swift end to the two-day manhunt.
Violent Past and Original Crime
Cameron's lengthy prison term stems from a premeditated and vicious attack in February 2016. He and an accomplice, Michael O’Rourke, stabbed a 22-year-old man from Poole approximately ten times. The court heard that the pair, who were under threat from a rival gang, sought to murder their victim to frame their rivals for the killing.
The victim sustained life-threatening injuries, suffering stab wounds to his stomach, neck, and the back of his head. Detective Sergeant Jamie Halford of Bournemouth CID, who led the original investigation, described it as a "pre-planned assault... that could have so easily led to the death of a young man." He praised the members of the public who provided immediate aid and the medical staff at Poole Hospital for their life-saving efforts.
Conclusion and Public Safety
The recapture of Kieran Cameron underscores the coordinated efforts of police units across county lines. His arrest in a populated urban area like Hulme highlights the serious risk his escape posed to public safety. The incident also raises inevitable questions about the security protocols at HMP Thorn Cross, a Category D open prison intended for inmates nearing the end of their sentences.
While the police investigation into the circumstances of the escape continues, the immediate threat has been neutralised. Cameron is now back in custody, and the public warning has been rescinded.
