Manhunt launched for convicted killer Mark Woolley who goes on the run after release from prison

Police warn public not to approach Mark Woolley who was last seen in late January

Convicted killer Mark Woolley pictured in 2001 and in 2017 (Metropolitan Police)

A manhunt has been launched for a convicted killer who has gone on the run after being released from prison on licence.

Mark Woolley, 52, was jailed for life in 2001 for the murder of costume designer Elizabeth Sherlock who smiled as he ran over when she tried to stop him stealing her handbag at London's Euston Station.

He was last seen on 31 January at a probation meeting in Hackney, east London, and is now on the run after breaching his licence conditions.

London's Metropolitan Police have warned the public not to approach Woolley if they spot him and instead call 999.

Woolley, is described as white, slim, 5ft 4ins tall, with greying hair and tattoos and scars on his forehead, jaw and left ear.

Mrs Sherlock was waiting for a train with her husband Peter, 48, on Easter Sunday 2001 when Woolley's girlfriend Jackie Moorehouse snatched her bag containing just £20 in cash and her bank cards.

She was captured on CCTV chasing Moorehouse out of the station while shouting: "Stop thief, she has got my handbag".

Mrs Sherlock then threw herself onto the bonnet of Woolley's Ford Fiesta as he tried to drive Moorehouse away from the scene.

She hung on to the windscreen wipers as Woolley drove off before being thrown off the car and under the wheels.

As their victim lay dying from multiple injuries, Woolley and Moorehouse dumped the Fiesta and used Mrs Sherlock’s bank card to withdraw £100 to buy crack cocaine and heroin.

Woolley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment after a trial at the Old Bailey while Moorehouse was jailed for three years after admitting theft.

"You killed her by deliberately driving over her at a time when you were eking out a worthless existence by thieving to buy drugs," the Recorder of London, judge Michael Hyam, told him. "It was a wicked act without pity and without remorse. You were seen to smile after you had done it.

"Every one who understands what you did was sickened by it and every one who has heard or read about it since must have been appalled by your apparent lack of human feeling for the woman who had every right to try and stop you from getting away with her property."

Woolley was released from HMP Ranby in Nottinghamshire on 16 November 2001.

Anyone with information on Mark Woolley's whereabouts should call police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.