A killer who went on the run for the second time after absconding from an open prison has been caught in the North East, police have confirmed.

Lee Nevins, from Gateshead, had been on the run for almost two weeks after failing to return to HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire, where he was out on day release.

Derbyshire Police launched a hunt for the convicted murderer who was jailed for life for killing disabled Lee Jobling back in 2006.

Now, the same police force has confirmed that Nevins was found by officers from Northumbria Police in Washington on Saturday, October 8.

A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said: "Lee Nevins, who we were attempting to trace after he failed to return to HMP Sudbury, is no longer being sought by officers. He was located by officers from Northumbria Police in Washington on Saturday, October 8.

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"Thank you to all who shared our appeal to trace him."

Nevins killed his 20-year-old victim in an unprovoked attack at his home on Gateshead's Leam Lane estate.

He was convicted of murder along with accomplice Mark Lang and jailed for life.

On Saturday, April 8, 2006, Lee invited friends to his flat, on Cotemede, for some drinks, but the word of the gathering got out at the local pub, and after closing time Nevins, then 23, and Lang, 24, made their way to his home

High on drink and drugs, the pair, who did not know Lee, did not leave with the other guests but stayed at the flat, where they launched their prolonged attack in the early hours.

Lee died in hospital around three weeks later.

This isn’t the first time that Nevins has escaped from prison.

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.

He was on the run for six days before Northumbria and Central Scotland police caught him at an address in Tillicoultry, near Stirling, Scotland.

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