Man who stabbed son-in-law to death ‘could be anywhere’ after escaping secure hospital

Peter Atkins went missing while on unescorted shopping trip

Peter Atkins seen on CCTV at a Royston branch of Tesco (Cambridgeshire Police)

A schizophrenic man who stabbed his own son-in-law to death is on the loose after failing to return to a secure hospital from an unescorted shopping trip.

Peter Atkins was convicted of manslaughter for knifing Stephen Provoost more than 20 times in 2001. He was locked up indefinitely.

But police say the 66-year-old – who is described as “unpredictable” – could now be “anywhere” after he went missing from Kneesworth House Hospital in Royston, Hertfordshire, while visiting a nearby Tesco.

Detective Inspector Dave Savill, of Cambridgeshire Police, said he should not be approached, and may become aggressive if he does not take his medication.

Atkins has been locked up for almost two decades after he broke into his pregnant daughter’s home in Cardiff and stabbed her husband as she slept beside him.

He told police at the time: “It didn’t seem real to me. It was like a dream.”

Judge John Griffith Williams QC, presiding over the case, described the attack as “mind-chilling”.

Speaking after Atkins went missing on Thursday, Det Insp Savil added: “For Peter to not return from free time is out of character.

“We know he was seen withdrawing cash at Royston Tesco at 2.10pm and then travelled to Royston town centre by bus, getting off outside Morrisons supermarket in Baldock Street.”

He added that he still knew people in Cardiff and indicated he may have travelled there.

Atkins is described as a white man of stocky build with short grey hair, last seen wearing black trainers, dark blue jeans and a white t-shirt.