Osei Kuffour had ‘every intention of ending her life in a callous and violent manner’
Police are hunting a ‘vicious’ East London drug dealer who was serving a 26-year sentence for shooting a woman in the face and hiding drugs in his bottom. Osei Kuffour, 36, absconded from HMP Spring Hill, a category D prison in Buckinghamshire, by failing to return once his license was revoked by the governor. Thames Valley Police have warned members of the public not to approach him.
Kuffour, formerly of Dock Road in Tilbury, was jailed in 2014 after being found guilty of attempted murder at the Old Bailey. Jurors heard he shot the 36-year-old with a revolver from less than a metre away after exchanging drugs at her home in December 2012. The court heard the woman was a regular customer and that she needed surgery to dislodge the bullet from behind her cheekbone.
On the same day, Kuffour, now known to frequent Ilford, was arrested with a load of cash and Class A drugs between his buttocks. Police later discovered the gun that was used in the shooting. Jurors also convicted him of possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply.
At the time, Det Insp Dave Coxell, from Newham’s Firearms and Gangs unit, said: “Osei Kuffour viciously and deliberately attacked a vulnerable woman in broad daylight outside her home in E16, with every intention of ending her life in a callous and violent manner.
“It is only to the victim’s credit that she has recovered to the extent that she has, and was able to bravely give evidence against her attacker. This lengthy sentence of Osei Kuffour sends a clear and powerful message to everyone concerned in drugs and gun crime that we will find you, prosecute you and we will put you in prison.”
But last night police revealed Kuffour failed to return to prison at around 7pm on Sunday (October 19). “He no longer has any authority or lawful licence to be in the community and is therefore considered unlawfully at large,” a TVP spokesperson said, adding: “Kuffour, aged 36, is around 5ft 5ins tall and of stocky build. He was last seen wearing dark tracksuit bottoms or jeans and a black jacket.”
Detective Inspector Mark Hill said: “We are appealing for the help of the public to trace Osei Kuffour, who is unlawfully at large after not returning to HMP Springhill. If you see Kuffour, do not approach him and call 999 instead.
“If you have any information as to where Kuffour may be, please call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference number 43250534171. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”
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