£5,000 reward offered to trace John Howard Centre paranoid schizophrenic absconder after violent Hoxton burglary

A £5,000 reward is on offer to help catch a “dangerous” paranoid schizophrenic, wanted in connection with the violent robbery and grievous bodily harm of a 92-year-old widow.

One of the victim's legs is entirely bruised as well as her hip and stomach. In addition she sustained a head injury as she struck the ground. - Credit: police

Sanchez Edwards, 28, failed to return to John Howard Centre medium secure psychiatric unit in Kenworthy Road, Homerton, seven weeks ago after being given an hour’s unescorted leave.

He is now the prime suspect for the robbery of a pensioner on July 27 in the grounds of the Lawson Medical Centre off Hoxton Street.

The woman can be seen in CCTV footage being dragged along the ground screaming, as a hooded robber wrenches her bag off her.

The thug used so much force the woman, who recently lost her husband of nearly 70 years, is pulled to the ground where she struck her head, leaving her in “excruciating” pain, with cracked ribs and horrifically bruised legs.

Sanchez Edwards is believed to have been sighted at Bethnal Green Station on Monday - Credit: police

Edwards has been travelling frequently on public transport since he absconded according to Scotland Yard, and tends to travel on route 25 buses from Ilford to Oxford Circus and route 38 buses from Hackney Central to Victoria.

The reward will be released on information given directly to the charity Crimestoppers which leads to his arrest. Call 0800 555 111.