Serial burglar escapes from jail

A man jailed in April after admitting more than 500 burglary offences has escaped from prison.

John Beebe, 25, was sentenced to three years in prison after stealing equipment worth more than £250,000 from schools in London and Hertfordshire.

Police said on Monday that he had escaped from Standford Hill Prison on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent.

Beebe - who is 6ft tall with brown curly hair and a pock-marked face - may attempt further burglaries, they said.

Det Insp Peter Edwards of the Metropolitan Police said: "He is a prolific offender and was responsible for a crime wave in schools."