Manhunt for double killer after he goes on the run from open prison for the second time

A manhunt has been launched after a double-killer absconded from open prison for the second time. Darren Pilkington, 39, was jailed for manslaughter in 2006 after he pushed his girlfriend Carly Fairhurst, 19, down the stairs during a late-night row at a house in Higher Ince, Wigan.

He left her with critical injuries for 12 hours before calling an ambulance. Carly never regained consciousness and died a week later.

The Prison Service said officers are working to 'urgently' recapture Pilkington following his escape from HMP Kirkham in Lancashire. Pilkington was also jailed in 2001 aged 15 for beating to death Paul Akister, 30, outside a pub in Hindley.

Read more: Police release image of man they'd like to speak to after sex attack on girl

Over the past decade he has been released four times but recalled on each occasion after breaking rules and ­going on drink and drug binges. The last time he was moved to an open prison he went on the run, but was caught after five days as a fugitive.

On another occasion, he was recalled because he hid a secret girlfriend from the authorities. Carly Fairhurst's dad Trevor has told of his family's anguish following Pilkington's latest escape.

Mr Fairhurst told Wigan Today : "Apparently he had applied to the governor to go on escorted day release and it would then be up to the governor as to whether he would be granted a temporary licence. But then he did a runner before he got an answer.

“We don’t know where he is in the country. He could be heading this way – he has before. But ultimately it’s the pain of knowing that that cycle of release and recapture is going to continue."

Carly's mum Sheila Fairhurst has previously called for Pilkington to be locked up for life. Speaking in