Killer arsonist Shakiel Shazad absconds from prison
- Published
Shakiel Shazad was convicted of eight counts of manslaughter in 2003
A man jailed for 18 years for his part in a house fire in West Yorkshire which killed eight members of one family has absconded from prison.
Shakiel Shazad was convicted in July 2003 of eight counts of manslaughter after the fire at a house in Birkby, Huddersfield, in May the previous year.
Shazad, 33, failed to return to HMP Sudbury after being released on a work licence, said Derbyshire Police.
He is described as Asian, 5ft 6ins tall, with short black hair and beard.
Five sisters, their mother, uncle and grandmother died in the fire at a house in Osborne Road on 12 May 2002.
Shazad was one of three men jailed in 2003 after a trial at Leeds Crown Court heard they threw petrol bombs at the house.
A fourth man, Shahid Mohammed, was also arrested in connection with the fire, but never answered police bail and has been on the run ever since.