A CONVICTED paedophile who was on the run for nearly eight months after he escaped from an American airbase has been caught.

Laurence Cawley

A CONVICTED paedophile who was on the run for nearly eight months after he escaped from an American airbase has been caught.

Airman Basic Jeremy Parrott was sentenced to three years in prison after he was convicted of possessing child pornography in July last year.

But eight months ago the airman, who had served with the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, fled from a medical centre at the base and then from the base itself.

He was caught last night at 8pm in Ipswich.

Parrott was hunted by the US Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Suffolk police and the UK's Serious and Organized Crime Agency.

It is understood he was tracked down as a result of public information.

A spokesman for RAF Lakenheath said: “Airman Parrott is now in the correctional custody of the United States Air Force, and will remain there until command and legal authorities determine the additional charges he will face as a result of his escape.

“Airman Parrott, who was previously assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, had served less than three months of his three-year sentence when he escaped.

“In addition to confinement, he also received a dishonourable discharge and was demoted from Senior Airman to Airman Basic.”