Public urged not to approach on-the-run prisoners

POLICE are hunting for these two inmates – one who was convicted of robbery – that have absconded from Ford Open Prison.
Inmates Lee Fudge, left, and Mark Chatfield, right, who have both absconded from Ford Open Prison SUS-150307-151200001Inmates Lee Fudge, left, and Mark Chatfield, right, who have both absconded from Ford Open Prison SUS-150307-151200001
Inmates Lee Fudge, left, and Mark Chatfield, right, who have both absconded from Ford Open Prison SUS-150307-151200001

Lee Fudge or Mark Chatfield disappeared from the category D jail yesterday (Thursday, July 2) prompting today’s appeal for help from Sussex Police.

Detective Inspector Dave Grover urged the public not to approach the males if they spot them but to instead contact police.

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“We need the public’s help to find both men so they can be returned to custody to serve the remainder of their sentences,” DI Grover said.

“Neither man was from Sussex but we do not know if they have left the county to go back to where they are from or if they are still here.

“If you see them do not approach them but instead call 999.”

Fudge, 29, was jailed for life in 2007 for the robbery of a BP garage in Kent that year.

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He was last seen at the prison at 8am yesterday. He has links to Gravesend and Birchington in Kent.

Unfortunately only a very poor quality image of him is currently available. He is on the left of the picture, next to Chatfield.

Chatfield, 39, was jailed for four years for burglary in August 2014 after he broke into a home in Guildford, Surrey, in December 2013.

He has links to Surrey, in particular Guildford, Albury and Leatherhead, and to Farnborough in Hampshire.

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Chatfield was last seen at the prison at 5am on yesterday morning.

Anyone with information should email [email protected] quoting serial 47150083661 of 02/07, call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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