Reports of killer on the run

A man convicted of manslaughter was today reported to be on the run after absconding from the bail hostel near the Shropshire border where he was staying.Paul Davies, 44, was convicted of manslaughter after drowning his girlfriend, Natalie Sexton in a duck pond in Prestatyn in 2001.

He is believed to have absconded from Plas y Wern hostel at Plas Madoc near Wrexham. Senior officials today refused to confirm media reports that Davies had gone missing.

But Matthew Driver, assistant chief officer of the North Wales Probation Area, said people would be told if any resident had absconded from the home.

"Information relating to Plas y Wern is regularly shared with the Community Liaison Forum which is comprised of community representatives. This would include any instances of a resident absconding.

"Anyone subject to release on licence following a prison sentence who is required to reside at approved premises is liable to be arrested and returned to prison if they fail to abide by the conditions of their licence.

"Similarly, anyone who is subject to a Community Order or who is on bail and who fails to comply will be returned to court.

"I would emphasise that hostels are not prisons. They are an integral part of the management of offenders who would be in the community in any event.

"We have never pretended offenders are actively tracked when they leave the hostel but if their behaviour warrants a recall to prison we can and do take the necessary steps to do that."

North Wales Police would not comment on the reports of Davies's disappearance.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Karen Sinclair confirmed she had been told a resident had absconded in recent months.