POLICE are hunting a man who is on the run after being recalled to prison.

Nick Carlton, now 24, who lives in Bridge Road, Slade Green, was released on licence from Highpoint Prison in Suffolk, on February 5 this year, after serving five years of an eight-year sentence.

But on June 15 he appeared at Bexley Magistrates Court, charged with assaulting a police officer on June 13.

He was granted conditional bail, but has now disappeared.

Bexley police also want to question him in connection with an assault in Northend Road, Erith, on June 12.

As a result of breaching the conditions of his licence to be of good behaviour, it was revoked on June 17, and Carlton was being recalled to prison to serve the rest of his sentence.

Carlton was sentenced to eight years behind bars in May 2004, at Blackfriars Crown Court, together with his younger brother Sam, who was given a three-year sentence after admitting wounding.

Then aged 19, Carlton pleading guilty to gbh with intent, following a revenge knife attack on another teenager.

The brothers held a grudge against him, and when they spotted the teenager in Abbey Road, Abbey Wood, Nick Carlton ran up to him and stabbed the teenager in the stomach with large kitchen knife.

The court heard the brothers told their victim: “You’re a grass. We said we were going to get you and this is it.

“We’re going to kill you.”

Their victim was stabbed seven times and needed a four-hour life-saving operation to repair the damage to his stomach.

At the time, the judge described Carlton as “a grave and immediate danger to the public”.

Carlton is described as white and 6ft tall, with short fair hair and an athletic build.

The public is advised not to approach Carlton, if they see him.

Anyone with information should call Bexley police on 020 8284 9156 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.