‘Dangerous’ convicted Leeds murderer on the run after breaching terms of licence

A convicted murderer given a life sentence in 1998 is on the run having absconded after being released from prison on licence.
William KerrWilliam Kerr
William Kerr

Police says William Kerr, 53, who has links to the Humberside, West Yorkshire and London areas, is “dangerous” and should not be approached.

Kerr was jailed for life for murder at Leeds Crown Court on 26 June 1998, and released on licence on 23 January 2015.

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He was jailed along with co-defendant Christopher Moody for the murder of 43-year-old Maureen Comfort, whose body was found in a cupboard in her flat in Leeds.

William KerrWilliam Kerr
William Kerr

According to court papers, she was last seen alive on December 4 1995, and her body was found by relatives on January 8 1996. She had been strangled.

The National Offender Management Service contacted North Yorkshire Police for assistance after Kerr absconded from “approved premises” in Hull.

His current whereabouts are not known and police say they are “currently conducting extensive enquiries to locate him as a matter of urgency”.

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Detective Inspector Eamonn Clarke, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “To assist our already extensive efforts to trace William Kerr, I am urging people to keep an eye out for the man in the photographs.

“We ask that you do not approach Kerr, as he is considered dangerous. You should contact the police straight away on 999 and officers will be despatched to arrest him or investigate the sighting.”

In a direct appeal to Kerr, Mr Clarke added: “William, you know you have breached your licence conditions, and by continuing to do so you are only making things worse. It is now time to do the right thing and hand yourself in to the police.”

If you have seen William Kerr or have information about his current whereabouts, please dial 999 and pass details to North Yorkshire Police stating the “William Kerr appeal”.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting North Yorkshire Police reference number 12150049525 and say it is “urgent”.