Hunt For Killer Who Has Escaped Prison For Second Time

Police are 'urgently' hunting a double killer who absconded from prison for a second time.

In 2001, Darren Pilkington, who at the time was 15, was jailed for four years after beating Paul Akister to death outside of a pub in Wigan.

Then in 2006, Pilkington was convicted of manslaughter for knocking his girlfriend, Carly Fairhurst, down the stairs and waiting hours before calling 999. She later died as a result.

Now, officials are yet again on the hunt for the 39-year-old who fled from the Category D prison where he was being held.

A spokesperson for the prison service said: "The prison and police are working together urgently to recapture the offender.

“While absconds have halved since 2010, the Deputy Prime Minister has introduced greater scrutiny of Parole Board recommendations on open prison moves.

“Those who abscond face tough consequences, including being returned to closed prison conditions and serving additional time behind bars."

Pilkington has been arrested a total of six times during his life with the most recent happening last year, when he left his bail hostel to go to Wigan, where he is banned.

Upon hearing the news, Fairhurst's father spoke out: "Apparently he had applied to the governor to go on escorted day release and it would then be up to the governor as to whether he would be granted a temporary licence but then he did a runner before he got an answer.

“We don’t know where he is in the country. He could be heading this way, he has before.

"But ultimately it’s the pain of knowing that that cycle of release and recapture is going to continue."

The concerned father then urged for Pilkington to receive a tougher prison sentence.

Meanwhile, Fairhurst's mother, Shelia, said to the Mirror: "He’s a danger to the public. We’ve been told the only way he’ll never be released is if he kills a third person."

She then added that Pilkington will 'always be a danger to women and everyone else."

Pilkington and Fairhurst became friends online while he was in prison for the manslaughter of Akister, and they would write letters together during his time behind bars.

Upon Pilkington's release, they began dating, much to her parents' concern.

The man was said to have attacked Fairhurst a number of times before pushing her down the stairs in late January 2006.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677