Yorkshire prisoner with three fingers missing might be hiding out in Lancashire

John Elliot left HMP Hatfield - an open prison in Doncaster, South Yorkshire - on October 11 last year and hasn't been seen since.

Police say the 41-year-old, who sometimes uses the alias John Pearson, has links to Lancashire and might be evading capture by hiding at a property in the county.

The force did not say which part of Lancashire he is most likely to be found.

South Yorkshire Police has released a fresh appeal with a new description of the convicted burglar in the hope that the public can help catch him.

Elliott is described as being of medium build, with greying hair and a beard. He has three fingers missing on his left hand, leaving only his thumb and forefinger.

He also has a distinctive scar on his right middle finger, as well as scars on his arms. He also has a smiley face tattoo on the top of one of his arms.

He had been serving a three-year sentence for burglary.

Police say Elliot has links to Lancashire and Greater Manchester, as well as West Yorkshire.

However, he may have travelled elsewhere in the country and officers are keen to hear from anyone who knows where he is.

Any immediate sightings of Elliott should be reported to 999, say police, quoting incident number 823 of 11 October 2020.

If you have information about his whereabouts, or where he has been, you can also call 101.