Sex offender escapes custody in Victoria

The 52-year-old was in post-sentence custody at a correctional facility on Warrack Rd at Ararat when he fled about 2am on Sunday, police said, prompting officers to search for him.

Darling, who is a registered sex offender, is described as being about 175cm tall, with a strong build and tattoos on his arms, legs and back.

He has short grey hair and a long red-and-grey beard, but could have shaved since his escape, police said.

Officers urged members of the public not to approach Darling if they saw him, and instead call triple zero.

He has strong connections to Ballarat.