Waterford escapee turns himself in

A man who escaped from custody Monday at a St. John's hospital has turned himself in to police.

Paul Connolly, 26, who had been remanded to the Waterford Hospital for a court-ordered psychiatric assessment, turned himself in to police Monday night, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said in a statement Tuesday.

The RNC had earlier issued a public appeal to help find Connolly, although residents had been warned not to approach him.Police had described Connolly as having a known history of violence.

Connolly escaped while he was being escorted from one area of the Waterford to another.

Connolly is due to appear in court later this month on an assault charge.

Security at the Waterford, a Victorian-era hospital in the west end of St. John's, has been an issue this year, following three separate escapes of patients ordered by the courts to undergo psychiatric assessments.

Earlier this year, managers said they needed a new and more secure unit.