A knife attacker has escaped from mental health facilities for a third time, to his victim’s dismay.

Mark Ricketts, 52, went missing from Southleigh Community Hospital in Croydon at around 4am on Tuesday (September 18).

He was convicted of attempted murder in 1994 for stabbing Mark Kemp more than 20 times in an unprovoked attack.

Ricketts escaped from Springfield Hospital in Tooting twice previously, once in 2004 and again in 2014.

Mr Kemp, 47, said: “I’m horrified and shocked.

“They claim to have a proper risk assessment in place, but clearly, he should be in a higher security environment.

“Every time I hear of a knife attack it makes me think of my situation.

“As long as he keeps escaping, mine is unresolved. It could happen again as he could easily find out where I live.”

The hospital is not described as a secure unit, meaning patients who stay there are largely independent and are generally entitled to unescorted leave.

A member of hospital staff informed the police of Ricketts’ disappearance at 6am on Tuesday morning.

Police informed Mr Kemp soon after and issued a public warning that afternoon, advising that Mr Ricketts should not be approached.

A spokesperson for the hospital said: “Our number one priority at all times is the health and safety of all of our patients, staff and the local community.

“We’ve proactively reported this incident to the Care Quality Commission and the Ministry of Justice and we will work with them to undertake a full review into the circumstances around Mr. Ricketts’ absconsion to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible and most appropriate care for Mr Ricketts and the other patients we look after at the hospital.”

Mr Kemp was 24 when Ricketts, a complete stranger, dragged him from an amusement arcade into a tube station, where he stabbed him repeatedly.

Mr Kemp somehow survived the attack but has endured lasting physical and mental injury.

He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, spent seven years on the streets, and has undergone multiple operations.

A Met police spokesperson said: “Police were informed of Ricketts’ being missing at 6.02am on Tuesday, September 18.

“He had last been seen by staff at 3am.

“As is standard, initial enquiries were conducted and work began to locate him.

“This was made difficult by the establishment that Ricketts is not carrying a phone, bank cards or an Oyster card.”

At the time of publishing, Mr Ricketts had not been found. Anyone who sees him should call 999, quoting 18MIS037624.