On-the-run prisoner who absconded from South Yorkshire jail has escaped before

Almas Ullah, aged 33, was serving time at HMP Hatfield in Doncaster when he left the open prison without authority on Sunday, May 2.

He is now wanted for absconding from lawful custody but it is not the first time he has escaped from prison.

In November 2014 Ullah, from Bradford, escaped from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire, where he was sent after being sentenced in 2008 for a series violent robberies, including petrol station raids in which staff were threatened with a Samurai sword and knives.

After pleading guilty to three robberies and an attempted robbery, he asked for a further 98 offences to be taken into account.

He was given an ‘indefinite’ prison sentence for the protection of the public, with a minimum custodial term of more than five years set.

After six years behind bars he escaped but was recaptured in Huddersfield two weeks later.

He was eventually released in 2017 but in 2019 was jailed again for dangerous driving, driving after taking cannabis and having no licence or insurance.

He was recalled to prison under his original indeterminate sentence and will now only be released at the discretion of the parole board.

Both HMP Sudbury and Hatfield are open prisons aimed at reintegrating prisoners back into society gradually.

Inmates are allowed out for ‘resettlement’ visits and work but have to abide by strict rules.

If they fail to return by a set time, they are classed as absconders.

Ullah is 5ft 6ins tall, slim and when he was last seen he had a full beard.

He has two scars – one on his left arm and the other down the centre of his stomach.

He also two tattoos – the name ‘Cath’ on his left arm and a Chinese symbol on his right arm.

Members of the public are urged not to approach Ullah but to call 999 and quote incident number 705 of May 2 if he is seen.

Anyone with information to help officers track him down should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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