A new picture of fugitive killer Lee Nevins has been issued by police hunting him.
The convicted murderer, from Gateshead, has been on the run since Tuesday after absconding from an open prison in Derbyshire.
Nevins was jailed for life for the sadistic 2006 slaying of disabled Lee Jobling.
He failed to return to HMP Sudbury after being allowed out on day release.
And now police have issued an appeal for information as they confirm he still has links to the North East.
A spokeswoman for Derbyshire Constabulary said: "We are appealing for information after a convict has failed to return to HMP Sudbury. Lee Nevins did not return after a period of leave on a temporary licence from the open prison on Tuesday September 27.
"The 39-year-old was convicted in November 2006 for murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
"He is described as white, of slim build, and around 6ft with short blond hair and blue eyes. He has a tattoo of a Tasmanian Devil on his arm.
"Mr Nevins has links to the Chester-le-Street, Gateshead and the wider Northumbria area. Anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact us."
Nevins and accomplice Mark Lang killed 20-year-old Lee in an unprovoked attack at his home on Gateshead's Leam Lane estate.
Both were convicted of murder and jailed for life. But this is the second time Nevins has absconded.
Today Lee's aunt, Angela Knotts, has told of her anger.
The 63-year-old said: "It's an insult to Lee. I just feel as if he's done this awful crime and he's not faced up to what he's done and thinks he should be free. It's just horrible because you can't think of anything else."
Lee had overcome the odds to survive a childhood blighted by tragedy and injury, when his life was ended so cruelly in 2006.
He was just six when his mum Shirley, who was divorced from his dad, died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage. Lee and his two brothers went to live with his aunt Angela and her family in Leam Lane..
But at the age of 15, Lee suffered serious head injuries after falling from a bridge while out playing with friends. He suffered a brain injury and spent almost two weeks in a coma.
The accident left Lee walking with a limp and suffering from memory problems.
But with the support of his family, popular Lee battled on and although he was not well enough to work in the months before he died, he moved into his own flat, not far from Angela’s home.
On Saturday, April 8, 2006, Lee invited friends to his flat, on Cotemede, for some drinks, but word of the gathering got out at the local pub, and after closing time Nevins and accomplice Mark Lang made their way to his home
High on drink and drugs, the pair, who did not even know Lee, did not leave with the other guests, but stayed at the flat, where they launched their prolonged attack in the early hours.
Lang and Nevins taunted and mocked Lee before repeatedly punching and kicking him in the head.
When paramedics forced their way into Lee’s home they found him lying unconscious. He died in hospital around three weeks later.
Nevins, then 23, of Leam Lane, and Lang, 24, of Harlow Green, Gateshead, were eventually charged with murder.
They pleaded not guilty but were convicted after a two week trial, at Newcastle Crown Court, during which both killers each tried to blame the other.
Judge John Milford jailed them for life, ordering that Nevins, who had previous convictions for violence, serve a minimum of 17 years and Lang at least 16.
But in 2008 a huge manhunt was launched for Nevins after he got away after being taken from Frankland Prison to Sunderland Royal Hospital after suffering a hand injury.
Nevins was being held at HMP Sudbury a category D prison in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, when he absconded after being allowed out on day release on Tuesday. And Angela is furious that the killer has been allowed to escape again
"I got a call yesterday to say he hadn't returned on Tuesday night," she said. "They are saying to us that he's not a danger to the public and he's probably not to someone who can defend themselves. But to someone who is vulnerable he is.
"The police don't know where he is, but they say he has associates in the Northumbria area.
"They are saying he's worked hard so he's in an open prison. But they know he's an absconder. They are saying they are doing all they can to make sure he doesn't get out of the country."
Hearing Nevins is at large has brought back painful memories for Lee's family, who are now living in limbo until he is caught.
"It's just the waiting. We are just sitting by the phone waiting, it's like your life has come to a stop.
"That brought it all back. All the family is up in arms. We were sort of getting on with life, but sometimes it just hits you, especially on his birthdays and at Christmas."
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "HMP Sudbury is working with police to recapture Lee Nevins quickly and on capture he faces longer behind bars."
After Nevins 2008 escape a damning report revealed a series of blunders by prison staff.
A Prison Service investigation found clumsy prison guards failed to search the killer or even securely attach handcuffs or restraints. Nevins was also able to smuggle his address book and paper clips from his cell to help make his getaway.
And bungled attempts to track him down meant he was free to roam the streets for nearly a week. Nevins’s bid for freedom was also aided by the fact he was allowed to visit Sunderland Royal Hospital in civilian clothing – not prison uniform.
During Nevins' dramatic days on the run Newcastle Central Station was put into lockdown. Police cleared and closed the station for 40 minutes after getting a tip-off that Nevins was to arrive in Newcastle at 7pm.
But it turned out to be a false alarm and after a thorough search of the area and all trains was carried out the fugitive was nowhere to be seen.
A £1,000 reward was also offered for information leading to Nevins' capture, and several people were arrested. However, Supt Gordon Milward, of Northumbria Police said the killer was not a danger to the general public.
He said: “My current assessment is that he does not pose a danger to the public at large but there is clearly a need to return him to prison. We are treating this as a matter of emergency, and we are looking specifically at individuals who were involved in him being put in prison.
“I want to make sure that there is not a direct threat. We will take whatever measures we feel are necessary. And we are doing everything to ensure he doesn’t leave the country.”
Nevins was eventually arrested after he was found walking along the High Street in Tillicoultry, near Stirling, in Scotland. Police said he gave himself up without a fight and was taken to a police station in Scotland.
Later, at Peterborough Crown Court, Nevins admitted escaping lawful custody. He was given 12 months in prison, to run concurrently with his previous sentence.
Anyone with any information about Nevins' whereabouts should call Derbyshire Police quoting reference 22*563940.
Read next:
- 'A hole in our world that will never be filled': Sister of murder-suicide victim Helen Barlow launches fundraiser
- "We still haven't got over the trauma": Nightmare continues for couple hit by car on city centre pavement
- 'I want to lay him to rest' - Murdered Jimmy Prout's brother still waiting to scatter his ashes
- Former Royal Grammar School head banned from teaching over sexual misconduct allegations
- Jack Woodley murder: No one else will be charged over stab death after five suspects released with no further action
