A MURDER suspect who escaped from a prison van which had just left HMP Hewell in Redditch more than a year ago has been charged.

John Anslow, aged 32, from the Tipton area was charged with conspiracy to escape from lawful custody today following his arrest in Cyprus on return to the UK on March 16.

He was arrested in the Alancak area of Northern Cyprus for immigration offences on March 13 and deported by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

Anslow was sprung from the van near HMP Hewell on 23 January 23 last year where he was being held after being charged with the murder of Richard Deakin in July 2010.

He is still to face court proceedings regarding the murder charge.

Anslow is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Monday in connection with the prison van escape.

Nine other men have previously appeared in court charged with conspiracy to assist in the escape from lawful custody of Anslow.