Hunt for dangerous knife killer who escaped psychiatric hospital as public warned not to approach him
COPS hunting for a dangerous knife killer who escaped a psychiatric hospital have warned people not to approach him.
Paranoid schizophrenic Peter Atkins, 66, fled Kneesworth House Hospital in Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday.
He has been serving an indefinite hospital order under the mental health act after murdering his pregnant daughter's husband, Stephen Provoost, 32.
Atkins had burst into their bedroom and stabbed her husband of eight months more than 20 times with a knife.
Judge John Griffith Williams called the 2001 killing of the social worker "mind-chilling", adding, "the memory of a sustained attack on your daughter's husband will haunt her for the rest of her life."
Atkins, formerly of Llandaff in North Cardiff, was allowed to leave Kneesworth as part of his allocated "free time".
But after visiting a Tesco store in Royston, Hertfordshire, on Thursday, August 1, Atkins didn't return to the hospital, prompting police to put out an appeal on Friday urging the public against approaching the killer.
Hospital staff have warned he might become aggressive as he is not taking his regular meditation.
Cops urged anyone who sees Atkins to call 999 immediately.
Atkins is described as a white man of a stocky build, with short grey hair, last seen wearing black trainers, blue jeans and a white or black t-shirt.
Cambridgeshire Police have today issued a re-appeal to find Atkins, saying that they were "no further forward in locating him".
It is believed he may have travelled by train from Royston.
Cops said in the re-appeal that "he could be anywhere in the country, but does have links to South Wales."
Det Insp Dave Savill said: "For Peter to not return from free time is out of character.
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"We know he was seen withdrawing cash at Royston Tesco at 2.10pm and then travelled to Royston town centre by bus, getting off outside Morrisons supermarket in Baldock Street.
"Peter is on twice-daily medication for paranoid schizophrenia and may become aggressive or irritable without his treatment.
"It is very important for anyone who believes they may have seen Peter to contact us as a matter of urgency."
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