AN ARSONIST described as the forgotten man of the British legal system has been urged to hand himself in to police.

David Blagdon, 58, is wanted on recall to prison after he went missing from his home in Greater Leys, Oxford, almost two weeks ago.

Blagdon was given a life sentence in 1978 after he admitted setting fire to curtains and pews at St Laurence Church in South Hinksey while consumed by grief following the death of his foster parents.

Campaigners fought for his release as they claimed the sentence was too harsh, and in 1999 more than 2,000 Oxford Mail readers signed a petition which was handed to then Home Secretary Jack Straw.

Blagdon, originally from Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, was finally released in August 2002 after 24 years in prison.

His licence conditions meant he had to reside at his home in Long Ground, but when officers visited his home for a different matter on Wednesday, November 18, they found he had gone.

Last night Det Insp Simon Morton, head of Oxford CID, said: “He is on licence from prison but has not complied with that licence.

“As a result he is wanted on recall to prison. We need to put him back in front of a court as soon as possible.

“We urge him to give himself up. Anyone who knows his whereabouts should contact police.”

Blagdon’s former solicitor Anita Bromley, who fought for his release, urged her former client to get in contact with police and probation services.

She said: “His is a very sad life story. Everyone makes mistakes, but David was for many years the forgotten man of the British legal system. He’s not dangerous at all. It’s so easy to breach licence conditions because they are strict. I just hope he gets back in touch with probation and doesn’t get into trouble.”

Blagdon was 27 when he was jailed after admitting the £2,000 attack on St Laurence Church.

He was found sitting near the church waiting to be arrested.

Anyone who knows Blagdon’s whereabouts should contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.