Police are searching for a prisoner who failed to return to HMP Haverigg after temporary release.

Cumbria Police has launched a search operation for a prisoner who failed to return to after being released on temporary licence for an approved work placement.

John Hosker, 43, was due to return to the prison on January 8 after attending a work duty commitment off-site, but is currently unaccounted for.

He is not considered a risk to others at this time.

He is described as white, 5ft 10 ins tall, of slender build, with short, dark, greying hair and stubble. He sometimes wears glasses.

Hosker may be wearing an orange jacket, black trousers and carrying a small, black rucksack.

Detective Superintendent Vicki Coombes said: “Officers are working hard to trace Hosker and return him to custody.

“A number of searches have been carried out.

“We would ask anyone who thinks they have seen Hosker or knows where he might be to contact us.

“Information suggests he was last in the Sedbergh area.”

Hosker was jailed for eight years in 2019 for committing a child sex offence.

Anyone with information on Hosker’s whereabouts should call police on 999.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.