A MAN jailed for his part in a violent robbery at a remote Dorset farmhouse more than eight years ago has gone on the run from open prison.

Michael Seddon was one of four men found guilty of the robbery of a 78-year-old man at his Bloxworth home.

Farmer Leonard Langdown was tied up, beaten and threatened during a two-hour ordeal at Snailsbreach Farm.

Seddon, of Bootle in Merseyside, was handed down an indeterminate prison sentence for public protection by Judge Christopher Harvey Clark at Bournemouth Court Court in November 2011.

He was one of the three masked robbers who entered the farmhouse.

The trio threatened to kill the pensioner, cut off his fingers with a pair of long handled pruning shears and stab his dog unless he gave them the keys to the safe.

Passing sentence after Seddon was found guilty at trial, Judge Harvey Clark said: “It hardly bears thinking about the torture to which you were prepared to put that elderly, vulnerable, defenceless man through."

The judge added: “In my opinion you Seddon present a significant risk of serious harm to the public.

"I am satisfied you are a danger.”

Three of the four men, including Seddon, were told they would have to serve at least seven-and-a-half years before the parole board would consider whether or not it was safe to release them.

While Seddon had a Merseyside address at the time of the robbery, the three other men convicted all had Bournemouth addresses.

They stole 17 shotguns, two rifles, £4,000 in cash and Mr Langdown’s Toyota pick-up truck.

Seddon, now aged 30, absconded from HMP Sudbury, an open prison, on Tuesday.

He was last seen at the prison at 9pm that evening.

A Derbyshire Constabulary spokesman confirmed: "Michael, who is 30, is described as white, 5ft 9ins tall and of slim build.

"He was clean shaven when last seen and has blue eyes and short brown hair. If you have seen Michael, or know of his whereabouts, please contact us."

If you have any information about Seddon's current whereabouts call police on 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.