Sex attacker on the loose

3:18pm Tuesday 7th October 2008

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An escaped mental patient has been revealed to be a dangerous sex attacker at large in Croydon.

Owen Rose, 27, was being taken to secure accommodation in Camberwell by mental health services when he evaded his escort in Croydon.

Police have warned the public not to approach him as he has not taken his medication and may be dangerous.

News of Owen Rose’s escape was released by police on Friday, October 3 but they kept secret his convictions for attempted rape and sexual assault until today.

Rose was given a hospital order with restrictions in May 2005, but was discharged in 2006 providing he met certain conditions. As it was believed he was breaching those conditions, Rose was being taken back into secure accommodation.

The 27-year-old was last seen at 3pm on Thursday in Denmark Hill.

Rose is described as a black Afro-Caribbean man, about 6ft (1m 82cm) and of heavy build.

He has a shaven head with stubble, a light beard and a small moustache. When last seen, he was wearing a red and white t-shirt with red squares on it and blue jeans.

He is known to have strong links to the Croydon area, although police could not give any particular areas, and also to Lambeth and Catford.

Anyone who has any information or believes they have seen Rose, should call Croydon police on 020 8649 0090.