Hinckley attempted murderer is caught

AN ATTEMPTED murderer who escaped from prison and was thought to have been spotted in Hinckley has been detained.

Gavin Owens, 33, absconded from Hollesley Bay open prison overnight on Sunday August 7. He was serving an indeterminate sentence for attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm following an attack on Steven Wakefield outside the Dog and Gun pub on Mansion Street, Hinckley on December 30 2008.

After going missing Suffolk Police notified colleagues in Leicestershire because of Owens’ links to the town.

People were advised to report any sightings but not approach him. There were two potential sightings of him in Hinckley which prompted swift action from police with the force helicopter and dog unit called out to search the town.

He was captured by West Mercia Police officers in Hereford last Wednesday. He has been charged with escaping lawful custody and remanded in prison. Suffolk Police confirmed he would not return to open prison.

Owens was jailed after the town centre assault during which he punched Mr Wakefield in the face, causing him to fall to the floor and hit his head. Unconscious the helpless victim was attacked by two other people. He was later hunted down and ran over by a Jeep driven by his attackers at a taxi rank before Owens slit his throat.

Suffolk Police extended their thanks to both Leicestershire and West Mercia, and everyone who passed on information.