An absconded armed robber, nicknamed Skull Cracker, was sighted in Twickenham yesterday and continues to evade the police.

Michael Wheatley, 55, was spotted at an address in Twickenham on Monday, May 5, at about 8pm when officers were called.

Police searched the area but he was not found.

Wheatley was given 13 life sentences in 2002 for a series of violent raids on banks and building societies.

The crimes were committed from 2001 to 2002, at a range of locations from Southampton to Hertfordshire, while Wheatley was on parole having been jailed for 27 years for other robberies.

Kent Police said he failed to return to HMP Standford Hill open prison on the Isle of Sheppey.

He earned the infamous nickname Skull Cracker after pistol-whipping his victims.