Sean Tate: Police appeal after prisoner escapes in Belfast

Sean Tate, 47, has been unlawfully at large since Friday morning

A convicted kidnapper is at large after escaping from the custody of prison officers in north Belfast.

Sean Tate, who is 47, is serving a six-year jail term for offences including kidnapping, robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

He was with prison officers at a property on Belfast's Antrim Road on Friday morning when he made off.

Officers said he left the area via Salisbury Avenue shortly before 11:40 BST.

"Police are appealing to anyone who has seen Sean Tate, or who knows of his whereabouts not to approach him but to contact police on 101," a police spokeswoman said.

"Police would also appeal directly to him directly to hand himself in," she added.

Tate was last seen wearing navy blue jeans, a grey fleece and black polo shirt.

He was also wearing grey and blue trainers "with a fluorescent swoosh," according to police.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.