Jailed robber vanishes after day trip to Brighton

A man jailed for robbery and a racially motivated shooting has vanished after a day trip to Brighton.

Sussex Police issued an appeal for help finding Peter Mahoney last night (Monday 14 July).

Mahoney left Ford Prison on Friday (11 July) on day release. He travelled to Brighton but did not return. He has not been seen or heard from since.

The force said that Mahoney was given an indeterminate sentence in 2010 and told that he would serve at least four years.

Peter Mahoney

He was sentenced after pleading guilty to charges of racially aggravated wounding, having a firearm, robbery and having an imitation firearm.

He committed the offences in November 2008.

He racially abused a customer in a shop in Norwood, London, went home and then returned with an air pistol and shot the victim.

The next day he threatened a group of friends with an airgun in Stone, near Dartford, after claiming to be a police officer. He stole their car and drove off.

Mahoney, 37, was described as white, 6ft 2in tall and of average build. He has links to London and Kent.

PC Steve Reed said: “Mahoney has a history of violence and is therefore a concern. We need to recapture him as quickly as possible.

“We need people to contact us if they see him or know where he is. If you see him, do not approach him but call 999 immediately instead.”

Anyone with information about Mahoney is urged to phone Sussex Police on 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.