Eastbourne arsonist escapes from open jail (From The Argus)

Eastbourne arsonist escapes from open jail

1:51pm Thursday 26th July 2012 in News By Ben Parsons

An arsonist serving a life sentence for starting a fire in Sussex has escaped from an open prison.

Edward MacDonald, 46, was locked up in 1996 after starting a blaze at a block of flats in Seaside, Eastbourne.

Police fear he may have returned to East Sussex and are urging the public not to approach him.

MacDonald, formerly of Cambridge Road, Eastbourne, was last seen on June 28 this year.

He failed to return to Hollesley Bay prison in Suffolk after being allowed out to work.

Officers from Norfolk Constabulary alerted other forces and listed him on the police national computer, but he has not been found.

Although he has family in East Anglia, they say he may have returned to East Sussex.

In 1996, aged 30, MacDonald used a pot of paint and unopened mail to start a fire on a communal staircase at the flats in Seaside.

MacDonald is white, 5ft 9in and of medium build.

He has cropped grey hair and a Scottish accent.

He also has a scar on his right arm.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk Constabulary said: “If anyone sees MacDonald they should phone the police with the details.

“They should not approach him or take any further action.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Norfolk Police on 101.