Urgent warning as rapist who vanished from prison TWO MONTHS ago is still on the loose
A RAPIST who vanished from prison two months ago is still on the loose.
Sean Phipps was jailed for a string of terrifying attacks but was on day release when he went missing on June 1.
Police now fear on-the-run Phipps could be living "off grid" in a bid to evade capture.
Cops have warned the public not to approach him, but to dial 999 immediately.
The 51-year-old, who has previously gone by surnames Cawthray, Goldthorpe and Perry, was caged after kidnapping a schoolgirl in Leeds in 2002.
The teenager was waiting at a bus stop when the thug grabbed her by her hair and dragged her through an alleyway to a brook, reports.
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He covered her face to stifle her screams before a young boy in a nearby garden spotted Phipps and ran for his grandfather for help.
Before that, Phipps was jailed twice for rape.
In 1993, he attacked a 20-year-old woman while he studied art at Leicester's De Montford University.
Several years earlier, he was sentenced for raping a teenage girl and attempting to rape another youngster in Leeds.
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Phipps previously vanished from custody in 2017. He was arrested in Leicestershire after disappearing from a probation-approved address.
Officials released footage of Phipps, who is described as 6ft 2ins tall and should be behind bars at HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire, in June to try to hunt him down.
And today they renewed their appeal, believing he could be anywhere in the UK, reports.
Officers do believe, however, he may still be close to where he was last seen in the greater Bristol area, including North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson added: "He's also known to cover long distances on foot, by hitch-hiking or by stealing bicycles.
"Phipps has an interest in living ‘off-grid’ and may camp out and forage in rural areas.
"He might approach people to ask for water or casual labouring work.
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" Alternatively he may return to Bristol or other urban centres to shelter in disused buildings and to search bins for food."
Sightings should be reported to police on 999 quoting reference number 5222130002.