Paul Robson: New pictures of on-the-run sex offender

Robson may have tried to change or shave his facial hair, police said

A dangerous sex offender who fled an open prison may have changed his appearance, police have warned.

Images released this week as officers launched a manhunt for Paul Robson, 56, showed him with a long goatee tied at the end.

Two new photos issued by Lincolnshire Police show him clean-shaven and sporting a different facial hair style.

Robson, who the force described as a "menace to women", walked out of HMP North Sea Camp on Sunday.

He was given a life sentence in 2000 for the sexual assault and attempted rape of a woman at knifepoint in her own home.

The force said its inquiries so far had led officers to believe Robson may have changed his appearance.

Officers also believe he may have a dark-coloured donkey jacket - a coat with a large collar and blue panels on the shoulders - in his possession.

Police originally circulated this image of Robson after he absconded from the open prison

Ch Supt Kate Anderson thanked the public for their help so far, and urged people to report any further sightings of Robson.

She said the updated information about his appearance would help the public "to think about whether the person they are seeing may be Paul Robson and whether or not they need to call us".

She said police were also keeping an open mind about Robson's whereabouts and were pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

"It is possible that he has moved around the country," she said.

Ch Supt Anderson said officers were following a number of lines of inquiry

Ch Supt Anderson said the public was right to be concerned about Robson, and the force's priority was to locate him.

"What I would say is do not approach him, do not try to apprehend him yourself, [but] take a note of what he is wearing and where you have seen him and contact us as soon as possible," she added.

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Robson, originally from Newcastle, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court for the attempted rape and indecent assault of his victim.

The court heard he had tied her up, put a pillow case over her head and assaulted her while holding a knife to her throat.

Robson had only been released from prison three weeks before the attack and was on licence.

Paul Robson was moved to HMP North Sea Camp in January

It emerged that Robson had been refused parole five times, but in February 2021 was recommended to the then Justice Secretary Robert Buckland as a prisoner "suitable for a move to open conditions to test whether he would eventually be safe for release".

He was moved to HMP North Sea Camp in January.

The Ministry of Justice said the current Justice Secretary Dominic Raab had since toughened procedures, with greater scrutiny of parole board recommendations on open prison moves.