Prisoner escapes after van ambushed

Prisoner charged over Staffordshire murder

A prisoner charged with the murder of a Staffordshire man has escaped after a van taking inmates to Stafford Crown Court was ambushed.

John Anslow is one of five people charged with the murder of Richard Deakin, who was shot dead at his Chasetown home in 2010.

Detectives say three men wearing balaclavas, two of whom were carrying sledgehammers got out of a car and attacked the van, travelling from Hewell prison in Redditch.

They smashed the windscreen and a window, and punched the driver.

Detective Inspector Jon Marsden of West Mercia Police said: "Anslow has recently been charged with murder and is considered dangerous. We are working closely with our colleagues from West Midlands and Staffordshire Police forces and a large number of officers from all three forces are involved in the search for him. However we would urge any members of the public who sees him not to approach him directly, but to contact police immediately on 999."

Anslow is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with short straight dark brown hair.

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