Prisoner escapes from Wormwood Scrubs by slipping free from guards during hospital trip - as Met police launch urgent manhunt

Police have launched a manhunt after a prisoner escaped from Wormwood Scrubs during a hospital visit.

Officers are looking for Graham Gomm after he slipped free from guards on Wednesday night at Hammersmith Hospital, where he was receiving medical treatment.

The 63-year-old, who was on remand for burglary offences, absconded in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The Met Police says it is scouring the area, as well as known addresses that have links to Gomm, and has urged the public not to approach him.

HMP Wormwood Scrubs is a category B men's prison in west London which houses around 1,000 inmates. 

In a statement about Gomm's escape, the Met Police said: 'Police were alerted at around 01:18hrs on Thursday, 18 July that Gomm had absconded. He was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt and grey tracksuit.

'Officers are carrying out searches, working closely with partners, conducting CCTV enquiries and have visited a number of addresses linked to Gomm.

'Detectives are also concerned for Gomm’s welfare as he was undergoing medical care before he escaped. There is nothing to suggest that Gomm is a threat to the public.

'If anyone sees Gomm they are asked not to approach him but they should call 999.

'Information on his whereabouts can also be shared with police via 101 or post on X @MetCC quoting reference CAD0481/18JUL24.'

It is the second time in three years that a prisoner has gone on the run from the prison during a medical visit - in 2021 Manray Woolfall also slipped past his guards during a trip to hospital. 

And ex-British Army soldier Daniel Khalife will stand trial next year for escaping from prison under a food delivery van.

The fugitive veteran and alleged spy, 22, is said to have escaped from Wandsworth jail in south London last year after strapping himself to the underside of a Bidfood delivery truck with a makeshift harness made from prison bedsheets.

Khalife was originally arrested last January on terrorism charges after plotting a fake bomb hoax at his army barracks at MoD Stafford and he is also accused of spying for an enemy state, which is understood to be Iran.

Khalife denies one charge of escape, one of committing an act prejudicial to the state, one of eliciting information about members of the Armed Forces and another of perpetrating a bomb hoax.