Escaped killer back in hospital

An inquiry will be held into how a convicted killer dubbed the Black Dog Strangler escaped from a secure hospital in Newcastle, health trust bosses said.

Phillip Westwater left his clothes in a pile at St Nicholas Hospital, after asking to use the toilet during an escorted visit, then disappeared.

Westwater was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after paralysing a man during a pub fight in 1989 and killing a fellow inmate at Liverpool's Ashworth Hospital.

He was reportedly found in a bar in the Newcastle's gay area after he was recognised from a photo circulated by the media.

Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust runs a medium secure unit within its St Nicholas site, and said Whiteman escaped during an escorted visit to a restaurant in another building.

He asked to use the toilet, from where he vanished, leaving a pile of clothes on the floor.

"Planned or escorted leave is an important part of any patient's treatment plan, especially when working towards their recovery.

Arrangements for escorted leave are rigorously risk assessed, made on an individual basis and regularly reviewed.

The decision to grant leave involves the views of the patient's multi-disciplinary clinical team and when appropriate input from the patient, their carers, family members, as well as external agencies."

We will be carrying out a thorough internal review of this incident as soon as our colleagues at Northumbria Police have concluded their investigation."

• UK
• Northumbria Police
• Appeal

The psychiatric hospital from where a killer escaped will investigate how it happened as a matter of urgency.

Phillip Westwater was detained under the Mental Health Act twenty years ago - after leaving a man paralysed after slashing his throat.

He also killed another man whilst in another secure hospital.

You can watch the lunchtime update from Kenny Toal below.

• UK
• Northumbria Police
• Appeal

Convicted killer Phillip Westwater has been found by police, after going missing from a secure hospital on Tyneside. Westwater, who's also known as Phillip Whiteman, was spotted by a member of the public on Tyneside late on Wednesday 2 January.

Police say he will be taken back to a secure unit at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth.

• UK
• Northumbria Police
• Appeal

Northumbria Police's Superintendent Derek Scott told ITV Tyne Tees that Philip Whiteman, dubbed the 'Black Dog Strangler', was a "medium risk" missing person who was "insulin dependent".

Spt Scott added that there was no information he is a direct danger to the public.

The 'Black Dog Strangler' previously had the name Phillip Westwater but is now known as Philip Whiteman.

• UK
• Newcastle

A convicted killer has escaped from a secure hospital in Newcastle.

Phillip Westwater, who is originally from Newcastle, was detained under the Mental Health Act 20 years ago. Northumbria Police say the 44-year-old should not be approached.

Kenny Toal has sent this report from St Nicholas' Hospital in Gosforth.

• UK
• Newcastle
• Northumbria Police

Northumbria Police have released a picture of missing killer Phillip Westwater.

More to follow...

• UK
• Northumbria Police
• Appeal

A convicted killer, who was dubbed the Black Dog Strangler, escaped from a secure psychiatric hospital after he asked to go to the toilet, Northumbria Police said.

Phillip Westwater, 44, is described as white, six foot tall, with a slim build and brown/grey hair.

Police said they do not have a description of what he was wearing as he left his clothes in the toilet.

• UK
• Black Dog Strangler
• Newcastle

Officers are making inquiries into this individual and any risks he may or may not pose.

In the meantime people are asked to contact police on the 999 emergency number if they see him and not to approach him.

• UK
• Newcastle