THE net was closing today around escaped Hampshire killer Patrick D'arcy.

Detectives appealed for the 20-year-old to give himself up after it became apparent he had visited several former acquaintances in the Southampton area.

D'arcy absconded while serving eight years behind bars for the brutal stabbing of Southampton teenager Shaun Fitzpatrick nearly three years ago. Police said he had failed to return from a day release programme at Portland Young Offenders' Institute on Saturday.

The police hunt is being led by Dorset police but Hampshire officers became involved following concerns D'arcy would return to Southampton.

D'arcy, previously of York Close on the city's Northam estate, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in July 2000 after being convicted of manslaughter.

A Winchester Crown Court trial heard how he had plunged a kitchen knife into the heart of 18-year-old Mr Fitzpatrick during a row on Southampton's Harefield estate in December 1999.

The teenager, described as a loveable rogue, died almost instantly.

Jurors cleared D'arcy, of murder on the grounds he had been provoked.

This week Hampshire detectives were following up sightings of him across the Southampton and New Forest area.

Det Insp Richard Pearson, head of Bitterne CID, said: "We are convinced that D'arcy has certainly been seen by persons who know him in the Southampton area.

"It is apparent that he knows police are attempting to recover him to prison, and is also aware that the longer he is at large the more trouble he will get himself into.

"We appeal for him to give himself up, and are also keen to anyone who has information on his whereabouts."

Police warned the public not to approach D'arcy, who is 5ft 6in, with dark cropped hair, brown eyes, a local accent and has distinguishing scars on his forehead, left arm and right arm.

Phone with any information to Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545, or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.