A SEX offender from Worcester who was on the run after bolting to London will soon be back behind bars after he was caught in the capital.
Sullen-faced Lewis Jones of Worcester was arrested and handcuffed in Commercial Road, Whitechapel in London's East End today after a police appeal.
He will go straight back to prison, West Mercia Police has confirmed.
The 26-year-old fled to London after boarding a train at Worcester's Foregate Street Railway Station but his offender managers monitored his movements closely from Worcester Police Station in Castle Street and were able to gain intelligence about his whereabouts.
READ: Jailed - thug who broke paramedic's jaw
READ: Parts of Tolladine being turned into a tip
Sporting a beard instead of his usual clean-shaven look, as seen in his custody photos, Jones was sleeping rough and known to be frequenting soup kitchens when police swooped and made the arrest. He is pictured here moments after he was caught.
DI Dave Knight of Proactive CID said: "Lewis Jones was arrested for recall to prison in Commercial Road, Whitechapel, London this afternoon.
South Worcestershire Police Offender Management Officers, working with The Metropolitan Police, had responded to intelligence and found him sleeping rough. He will be returned to prison.
"This is a great example of various departments across West Mercia Police and The Met working together for a common purpose, and underlines the value of good old fashioned police work, on foot, putting in the miles. "
Jones of Worcester and who also has links to Malvern was believed at one stage to be in Camden Town after police received new intelligence about his whereabouts in London.
The 26-year-old was sentenced to one year and 10 months in prison on August 3 last year and released on January 6 this year to an approved premises in Worcester.
But, due to his behaviour since, he was recalled to serve the remainder of that sentence in prison rather than on licence in the community.
Jones was seen boarding a train at Worcester Foregate Street station and was believed to be heading to London on Thursday, January 12.
We reported in 2019 how Jones appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court for two charges of breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by altering a Facebook profile by using a false name and by being in possession of an internet-enabled phone.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel