Phillip Whiteman, 44, detained under the Mental Health Act, fled St Nicholas Hospital, a medium-security unit, in Gosforth.

BBC: Phillip Whiteman

The 44-year-old, previously known as Phillip Westwater, was on a medium-secure ward at the Newcastle hospital after being detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act following a pub fight in 1989.

BBC: Philip Whiteman hospital escape to be reviewed