OPPORTUNISTIC CESSNOCK JAIL INMATE FLEES AFTER FINDING STAFF MEMBER’S KEYS

Police are on the hunt for a prisoner after he escaped from a Hunter jail earlier today.

The 30-year-old was doing grounds maintenance at Cessnock Correctional Centre when he escaped in a car around 11:15am.

There are reports the opportunistic inmate found a staff member’s car keys, that were accidentally dropped on the employee’s way in to work, and then fled in their car.

The escapee, Vaughan Grimston, is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 170-180cm tall, with a medium build, brown hair and green eyes.

Grimston has connections to the Central Coast and Sydney, and was being held in minimum security at the Lindsay Street facility.

It’s believed he may be travelling in a 2018 silver Hyundai Tucson with NSW-registration YGN-24A.

Police are warning members of the public not to approach the man, but to instead call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

NSW Corrective Services say all aspects of the incident will be thoroughly investigated.