July 31, 2019 9.29 am This story is over 56 months old

Convicted rapist caught by police after almost month on run

He will be returned to a secure prison

A convicted rapist, who absconded from an open prison in Boston nearly a month ago, has been caught and arrested in London.

Police also arrested a 33-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender. He has been released on bail while investigations continue.

As previously reported, Stephen Tierney, 39, did not return to HMP North Sea Camp on Wednesday, July 3. Crimestoppers were offering a reward of up to £1,000 for information given exclusively to them that led to his arrest.

Officers investigated potential sightings in the Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Leicestershire areas, as well as following up inquiries in London.

Tierney was arrested during the afternoon of Tuesday, July 30 in the Haverstock Hill area in London.

Tierney, who was described as posing a medium risk of violence, was arrested for breaching his prison licence conditions under the Prison Act and will be returned to a secure prison.

His arrest follows an extensive investigation driven by Lincolnshire Police and assisted by colleagues in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, British Transport Police, Essex and the Metropolitan Police.