A convicted murderer is on the run - 15 years after he was jailed for the killing of a friend in a row over a 50 pence video tape.
Father-of-two Nicholas Ward had been at the end of his sentence and was being rehabilitated at an open prison when he failed to return from a home visit on Sunday evening.
The 36-year-old, who the public was told not to approach, had been under curfew and was told to be back at Spring Hill open prison in Buckinghamshire following a family visit by 6pm.
Thames Valley Police are appealing to the public for help to find him.
Ward has been described as a white man of medium build with short brown greying hair and blue eyes.
He has four piercings in his ears and the initials 'JA' tattooed on his left arm. His left hand is tattooed with dots and cross weapons.
The public are warned not to approach Ward but to dial 999.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kevin Godding of Force CID based at Reading police station, said: "I am appealing to anybody who knows of Nicholas Wards' whereabouts to contact the 24-hour non-emergency number 101.
"He was due to return to HMP Spring Hill following a day release, but failed to do so. If you see him, do not approach him but call 999 immediately.
"Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Ward was convicted in 2004 at Reading Crown Court for the murder of friend Michael Wood. The killing happened in 2001 but Ward was not arrested and charged until 2004.
A judge heard that Mr Wood, aged 31 years, was found beaten and stabbed in his bloodstained flat in Gairn Close, Tilehurst, Reading with a butter knife sticking out of his chest.
Detectives spent three-and-a-half years hunting the killer but only made former heroin addict Ward their prime suspect in 2003.
The court heard that Ward already had 41 previous crimes on his record. He was ordered to serve at least 14 years in jail.
Mr Wood was stabbed several times in the chest, back and head, with the tip of one knife broken off in his forehead. It was believed he had also been tortured before he died.
The court heard that Ward attacked Mr Wood on March 27, 2001, because the victim sold one of the defendant's videos for 50p to buy a bottle of cider.
