A former Chatteris man who is serving a 11.5-year prison sentence for a brutal attack that left a “well-liked and vulnerable man” in a coma has escaped from prison.

Michael Cocksedge was reported missing from Hollesley Bay open prison at approximately 7pm on May 29, after he was absent from a roll call.

The 22-year-old is serving a 11.5-year sentence for GBH and violent disorder.

He is described as approximately white, 5ft 6in tall, with black hair, Hazel eyes.

READ MORE: Chatteris teenager jailed for brutal attack on ‘well-liked and vulnerable’ Speedy

In 2019, he was jailed for assaulting “well-liked and vulnerable” Robet Lea, also known as Speedy, who will likely never be able to live independently again.

Cocksedge, 18, was seen walking home with 'Speedy' late on Christmas Eve 2018 after an event at Chatteris Working Men's Club.

Cambs Times: Robert Lea, known locally as Speedy (pictured), was told he will never walk freely again following the assault in Chatteris on Christmas Day 2018.Robert Lea, known locally as Speedy (pictured), was told he will never walk freely again following the assault in Chatteris on Christmas Day 2018. (Image: Newsquest)

The victim was found in Station Street, Chatteris, on Christmas morning with severe injuries.

He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, and placed in an induced coma.

A CT scan found a fracture of his left eye, nasal bone and nose as well as considerable facial swelling.

At the time, Lea's sister Linda said: "He (Robert) suffers from post-traumatic amnesia and has been transferred to a specialist rehabilitation unit.

"He has to be fed soft foods and still has to be tube fed as well. He still cannot sufficiently feed himself. His speech is not back to normal yet, it is slowly improving.

"He cannot walk; his only means of movement is in a wheelchair if someone pushes him around.

"He is undergoing very intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy. The aim is to try to improve him enough to consider independent living, but at this time we are not sure he will achieve this".

Detective Constable Aaz Tourabi said: "A well-liked and vulnerable member of the community was brutally attacked without reason."

In the days after the attack on Speedy, friends opened a GoFundMe campaign to help him financially.

"Robert has lived in Chatteris most of he's life round Burnsfield estate next door to me," said his friend Anita Evans when she launched the campaign.

"He is the kindest-hearted person going and would help anyone if he could. He is a true West Ham supporter and likes a couple of pints down the workers at the weekends.

"He is a true gentleman with a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt a fly."

Anyone who believes they have seen Michael Cocksedge or who has any information regarding his whereabouts, is asked to contact Suffolk police on 101, quoting CAD reference 305 of Monday 29th May 2023