Murder Suspect John Anslow Held in High Security Prison after Arrest in Northern Cyprus

An escaped convict who broke out of a prison van more than a year ago was flown back to the UK on Saturday 16 March, after being arrested in Northern Cyprus.

John Anslow, 32, was being transported to Stafford Crown Court when he escaped from the van near HMP Hewell Grange, in Tardebigge near Bromsgrove, on 23 January 2012. He was assisted by a gang of masked men armed with knives and sledgehammers.

A prison security guard was held on suspicion of helping Anslow escape from the van. The murder suspect was described by police as extremely dangerous, and a £10,000 reward was posted for information leading to his arrest.

A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said Anslow was arrested for immigration offences in the Alsancak area of Northern Cyprus on Wednesday before being deported by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

He was arrested upon arrival at Heathrow Airport on 16 March before being transferred to a high-security prison, according to PA.

Anslow is due to appear via video link at Stafford Crown Court on Monday for failing to appear at court.

Anslow, from Tipton, West Midlands, was one of five men charged with the murder of businessman Richard Deakin in Chasetown, Staffordshire, in July 2010.

The father-of-two was shot dead with a sawn-off shotgun as he lay in bed.

Police said Deakin's family have been updated about the latest development.

Nine men have been arrested and charged by West Mercia Police in connection with Anslow's escape in the past three weeks, the spokeswoman added.