Police are searching for two men who have escaped from a mental health facility in Northampton.

Nicholas Courtney is a 43-year-old convicted sex offender who is serving a hospital order.

He left the grounds of St Andrew’s Healthcare in Billing Road at about 6pm on Saturday 31 December while on an escorted walk with members of staff.

He is white, 5ft 8, slim, with a bald shaven head and distinctive tattoos on his neck.

When he was last seen, he was wearing black trainers, blue jeans, a black jacket with a red stripe across the chest and a waterproof jacket on top.

The other escapee is Johnny Brady, a 19-year-old who is also serving a hospital order but for a serious assault in Derby.

He escaped the hospital at about 3.30pm on Saturday 31 December, although his escape is not thought to have been related to Courtney’s.

Brady is white, 5ft 9 and slim. He was last seen wearing black Adidas tracksuit bottoms, a black hoodie, and black trainers.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: “We would like to appeal directly to Johnny to reassure him that he is not in trouble but to please return to St Andrew’s or make yourself known to the police.

“We need to make sure you are safe and receive the care that you need.”

Northamptonshire Police said members of the public should not approach the men under any circumstances but should instead phone police to report sightings.

The force control room can be contacted on 999, and people can quote incident number 359 of 31/12/22 for a sighting of Courtney and 275 of 31/12/22 for Brady.