Manhunt after prisoner jailed for Tipton machete attack absconds on day release
A manhunt is underway after a prisoner who attacked a man outside a Black Country petrol station escaped while on day release in Birmingham.
Mohammed Waqas was jailed for nearly eight years back in 2019 for attacking a man with a machete and baseball bat outside a petrol station in Dudley Port, in Tipton.
Waqas absconded while on day release in Birmingham. He had been granted release on compassionate grounds on Friday.
The 29-year-old, of College Road, Birmingham, is not considered a threat but police are urging people not to approach him.
A spokesman from West Midlands Police said: "Officers are hunting for prisoner Mohammed Waqas who has absconded while on day release in Birmingham.
"The 29-year-old – who is serving a prison term for assault at HMP Sudbury – has fled after being granted release on compassionate grounds yesterday.
"Although he’s not considered to be a threat to anyone at this stage we would ask people not to approach him.
"We’re following a number of lines of enquiry but anyone with information can contact us via 999."
During the incident in Tipton on May 23, 2018, a 31-year-old man was beaten and left with a knife injury after the attack outside the Texaco petrol station and Morrisons supermarket, with his injuries requiring surgery.
CCTV footage of the attack showed Waqas leaning on a car to steady himself, which helped identify him after a CCTV appeal from West Midlands Police.
A fingerprint match linked Waqas with the attack.
He was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court in January 2019 for seven years and 10 months, after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, breaching an anti-social behaviour order and driving without a licence or insurance.
Anyone who sees Waqas is urged to call West Midlands Police on 999.
