Mental health patient found by police hours after escape

A MENTAL health patient who previously kidnapped a bank manager hours after being released from a secure unit has been found less than a day after going on the run from a Yorkshire hospital.
David BurslamDavid Burslam
David Burslam

David Burslam, 49, escaped during escorted leave from Cheswold Park Hospital in Doncaster this morning after breaking free from staff taking him on an accompanied visit to the town centre.

He was seen heading towards Doncaster railway station on foot and police said he may contact friends and family in Manchester, Hull or Derbyshire.

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South Yorkshire Police said this morning: “Following an appeal to locate him, David Burslam has been found safe and well by police in Macclesfield.

“He was found at around 3am today and detained. No harm had come to Mr Burslam, or any other person, during the time he was missing.”

In 2009 Burslam was given a hospital order at Hull Crown Court for kidnapping a respected bank manager, hours after being released from mental health hospital Westlands, in west Hull.

He is reported to have subjected his victim to a two-hour ordeal after standing in front of his car on the A63, before jumping in and telling him he had a gun.

Burslam forced the man to drive to Manchester and repeatedly punched him in the face, knocking his glasses off and making him drive partially sighted.