A convicted racist who threatened to kill all black people has escaped from prison while working as a car valet. John Laidlaw, 44, was serving time for attempted murder when he fled Kirklevington Grange Prison in Stockton-on-Tees on Monday, May 4.
The former boxer was reported missing to police at 4:30 pm after failing to return from his shift at the prison's car valet service, which is open to the public. He had been regularly allowed unsupervised day release for these shifts.
Background of the Attack
In 2006, Laidlaw opened fire near Finsbury Park tube station in North London. He shot social worker and father-of-three Abu Kamara in the neck, then aimed at 22-year-old Evans Baptiste, who had chased him. The bullet grazed Baptiste and struck 26-year-old Emma Sheridan in the back.
During the attack, Laidlaw threatened to kill all black people. He was jailed in 2007 for three counts of attempted murder and two firearms charges. Three weeks before the shooting, he had admitted to attacking a black motorist.
Search Underway
Cleveland Police are now scouring the area with dogs and drones and reviewing CCTV footage. Laidlaw was last seen wearing a navy blue sweatshirt, blue cargo trousers, and white and blue trainers.
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. 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.
