Absconded Child Killer Last Seen Boarding Train At Central Station

Convicted child killer, John Clifford, who failed to return to a Maghaberry Prison facility on Sunday 02 September, was last seen at Belfast's Central Station.

Clifford (56) had been granted day release from Burren House on the Crumlin Road – a satellite facility of Maghaberry Prison – to attend an appointment but failed to return as expected.

Clifford was seen at Central Station – now known as Lanyon Place – boarding a train at 1pm. It is understood that it was Clifford's distinctive mobility scooter, that lead railway staff to report the sighting to police.

When last seen he was wearing a dark-coloured beanie hat, glasses, a dark heavy coat and a backpack. He is described as being around 5ft 7ins tall and of medium build, with a fresh complexion, green eyes and fair hair.

His three-wheel mobility scooter carries the registration EXZ 4974.

In 1988 Clifford was babysitting his eight-year-old niece, Sue Ellen Clifford, when he forced her to leave her home on the Rathcoole estate with him. He walked with her along the old Belfast to Carrickfergus railway line. Clifford then raped and strangled the child and left her body on the disused railway line.

He was convicted of murder and a number of other offences in 1989. He had previously been released in 2005, but was returned to prison two years later for breaching the terms of his probation.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of John Clifford is urged to contact police on 101.

(MH/CM)