Manhunt launched as convicted killer escapes from mental health facility
A convicted killer is on the run after escaping from a mental health facility in London.
Philip Theophilou, 54, absconded from the building in Homerton on Sunday and has not returned since.
He admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in 2005 after stabbing his neighbour to death.
The Metropolitan Police believes he travelled to Green Park, in central London, at around 11.25am on Sunday.
The force said there were concerns that he does not have any medication with him and may pose a danger without it.
He was last seen wearing a grey jumper, blue jeans and a black jacket. Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach and to instead call the police.
In April 2004, Theophilou had been lying in wait outside the home of Simon Breed, 51, in Alexandra Park, north London, with a kitchen knife. He was not taking his schizophrenia medication at the time. He stabbed the father of two six times, killing him.
Theophilou was sent to Broadmoor Hospital without limit of time under the Mental Health Act.
A spokesman for the East London NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm that we are actively working with the Metropolitan Police for the safe return of a patient.
“The individual had been on unescorted leave from the John Howard Centre, our medium secure unit in Hackney, as part of his rehabilitation, and did not return as planned on Sunday, March 31.”
NHS England says medium secure units “care for and treat patients who are a serious risk to others”.
An information guide produced by NHS England reads: “These patients need physical security to prevent them from escaping.” It adds that the facilities “focus on helping patients get better and keeping others safe”.
The John Howard Centre is made up of eight male wards, one female ward and one specialist secure ward for men with learning disabilities.
In January 2003, Theophilou had caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to Mr Breed’s house and car with a meat cleaver.
Theophilou had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act after the attack on the car, and was released from St Ann’s Hospital in August that year.
The Old Bailey heard during his manslaughter trial that a crack had appeared in the house Theophilou shared with his parents after Mr Breed started building work in 2002, shortly after he had moved in.
