A violent escaped prisoner is still on the run more than three months after fleeing jail.
James Yardley, who is in his 60s, was convicted in 2001 of holding a widow hostage at her home in Greenstead, Colchester, after smashing his way in with a fake gun.
He was jailed for six and a half years, but in March walked out of Hollesley Bay open unit in Suffolk, where he was being held.
Police launched a manhunt for Yardley, who they thought may have headed to the Colchester area after his escape.
They also warned any members of the public who saw him not to approach him but to call 999 immediately.
Both the Home Office and Suffolk Police confirmed today that he had not been recaptured and a police spokeswoman said the search was continuing.
Yardley is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall, of normal build, with grey hair, brown eyes and tattoos on his right shoulder and left forearm.
He may have been wearing a brown leather coat when he went on the run.
Yardley was originally arrested in November, 2000, after a five-hour armed seige in Blackthorn Avenue, Greenstead, with police surrounding his victim's home.
Appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, he admitted false imprisonment, having an imitation pistol, assault and threatening to kill police officers.
He also admitted 12 theft and forgery charges totalling £12,800, which he had siphoned from the account of the widow, with whom he was said to be besotted
Published Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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