POLICE are still searching for a violent criminal who escaped from prison.

Dean Evans remains on the run, one week after escaping from Leyhill Open Prison in Bristol last Monday.

He was jailed in 2006 after threatening to kill a woman and her three children at their flat in Southampton.

Semi-naked, drunk and wielding a pole, he had shouted at the terrified family that he would “burn the place down and kill you”.

Although he had been released after being sent to jail by magistrates, he was sent back to prison in 2011 after breaking the terms of his release.

Police believe he may have headed back to Hampshire, and have appealed for anyone who sees Evans not to approach him.

He is described as white, about 5ft 6in, of small build, with blue eyes and cropped brown hair.

His mother spoke to the Daily Echo last week to issue an emotional plea for her 36-year-old son to “give himself up”.

Anyone who spots Evans should ring 999 immediately.

Anyone who thinks they may have already seen him or knows where he is should contact officers at Avon and Somerset Constabulary on 01275 818340, quoting reference MP1216/14