Police launch desperate manhunt for killer after he skips jail - Public warned not to approach
Shaun Walker skipped jail and is currently being hunted by police
Gwent Police
Police have launched a desperate manhunt for a killer after he breached the terms of his licence sentence.
Shaun Walker is currently on the run from police after being recalled to prison yesterday.
Walker was sentenced to eight years in prison and four on licence after being found guilty of manslaughter in December 2013.
The former scrap metal dealer, who was 19 at the time, killed Barry Thomas, 45, by punching him “a number of times” in June 2013 in a row over a moped.
In a statement, Gwent Police said: “Can you help us find this Newport man?
“Shaun Walker, 29, has been recalled to prison.
“If you see him, the public are asked not to approach him and to instead call 999.
“Anyone with any information on his whereabouts can call 101, or send us a DM, ref 24*109553.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Shaun Walker (L) and Calvin Wall (R) in 2013
Police handout
A spokesman for Gwent Constabulary said: “We’re appealing for information to find Shaun Walker who has been recalled to prison.
“The 29-year-old from Newport has been recalled to prison after breaching his licence conditions.”
At the time of his sentencing, Newport Crown Court heard that Walker had been “spurred on” by a colleague.
The court heard that Walker, Thomas, and the colleague Calvin Wall, had been socialising prior to the row erupting.
Walked headbutted Thomas on Methuen Road, Maindee, Newport, on 2 June 2013 before following him up the street to continue attacking.
Justice John Griffith Williams said after Thomas had “jokingly” sat on the recently-purchased moped and “playfully” tapped Wall on the shoulder with a pen, the pair launched an “unprovoked” attack.
Justice Williams continued: “It was on the pavement outside 1 Methuen Road you, Walker, again spurred on by Wall, punched him in the face a number of times.
“One of these blows – in all probability the one delivered to below the left ear – proved to be the fatal blow.”
Thomas died two days later of a “catastrophic haemorrhage to the brain”.
While serving his sentence, Walker also punched a prison guard with a “haymaker” punnch so hard that the man was left with a ruptured artery.
Christopher Roberts was attacked by Walker at HMP Parc in Bridgend in August 2015 after becoming agitated during a conversation.
CCTV from the time shows the moment Walker punched Roberts in the face after he claimed prison staff had deprived him of his ADHD medication.
After the incident, Walker was given a 15-month sentence to be added to his current spell in prison with the judge adding that he would not be considered for parole for another six years.