Police hunt after killer absconds from mental health facility

Philip Theophilou was detained in 2004

Police are hunting for a killer who they say has absconded from a mental health facility in east London.

Philip Theophilou, 54, left the facility in Homerton on Sunday and did not return, the Met Police said.

He was being detained for stabbing his neighbour, Simon Breed. At his trial in 2005, he admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The Met said officers were concerned he "posed a risk without access to his medication".

He was last seen in the Green Park area on Sunday at about 11:25BST. He was wearing a grey jumper, blue jeans and black jacket.

He was last seen on CCTV in the Green Park area

At his trial at the Old Bailey in 2005, the court heard Mr Breed had six stab wounds and several defence wounds after Theophilou lay in wait for him with a kitchen knife outside their house in Cornwall Avenue, Alexandra Park.

In 2003, Theophilou had caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to Mr Breed's house and car with a meat cleaver.

The attack followed building work started by Mr Breed shortly after he moved in 2002, and which had caused a crack in the next door house that Theophilou shared with his parents, the court heard.

He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and released from St Ann's Hospital in August 2003.

There were no problems until eight months later when Mr Breed was attacked at night as he returned from playing at a folk club, the court heard.

Following his conviction, Theophilou was sent to Broadmoor special hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Doctors said he had schizophrenia and at the time of the killing, had not been taking his medication.

Anyone who sees Theophilou should not approach him and instead call 999.

Follow BBC London on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]