POLICE are searching for a prisoner who was mistakenly released early from jail while serving an assault sentence.
Merseyside Police is appealing for information that may help officers to help locate wanted man John Lee Riley.
The 49-year-old, who is known to be from the Cheshire area, was mistakenly released early from HMP Altcourse in Liverpool on Monday, and enquiries are ongoing to find him.
Riley, who has links to Widnes, had been serving a sentence for assault, and the force is appealing for anyone who sees him to get in touch so that he can be returned to prison.
He is described by officers as being around 5ft 7in tall and of a slim build, with grey hair and blue eyes, and a Liverpool accent.
Riley was last seen wearing a black jumper with ‘Jack Jones’ on the front, grey jogging bottoms with writing on the left leg and the rear pocket, and black and white Puma trainers.
The force says that he has links to Widnes, Cheshire, Wirral, Liverpool, and Crewe.
Inspector Steve Reilly said: “If you see Riley, or have any information whatsoever about his current whereabouts, please get in touch as a matter of urgency so that we can return him to prison.
“Please be assured that our inquiries are ongoing, and we will not stop until he is back in custody where he belongs.
“I would also like to appeal to Riley himself to do the right thing and hand himself in if he sees this appeal.
“Let us know if you have any information, and we will act swiftly to ensure that he is found as quickly as possible.”
Anyone with information should call Merseyside Police on 101, 101 quoting incident reference 26000460675, message the @MerPolCC social media desk on X or Facebook, or visit merseyside.police.uk
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org
