Wanted prisoner found in Blackburn following escape charged

Lancashire Police launched an appeal to find Jamie Cooper who had been travelling in the secure van on the motorway near Preston. It is alleged he was found by police in a car traveling from Bolton to Blackburn on Saturday. A police spokesperson said: "At 8.54am on Wednesday, March, 19 it was reported to us that Cooper had escaped from a GEOAmey van which was taking prisoners from Blackpool custody to Lancaster Magistrates Court.

"Cooper, 33, has been charged with escaping from lawful custody.

"He has been remanded in custody to appear at Blackburn Magistrates' Court tomorrow."

It follows an incident involving a prison van close to Junction 2 at Catforth last week, after which a nationwide hunt was launched.