Suspect killer on the loose after prison van ambush

A murder suspect from Bilston was on the run this afternoon after an armed gang ambushed a prison van.

John Anslow was sprung from the high-security van by masked men armed with sledge hammers who punched the driver.

Anslow was being taken from HMP Hewell in Redditch to Stafford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

Click on the image on the right to see pictures from the scene

The 31-year-old was last week charged with the murder of skip hire boss Richard Deakin, who was shot dead in his bed in July 2010 in Chasetown. Four others are also charged with his murder.

Detective Inspector Jon Marsden of West Mercia Police said this afternoon: "Three men wearing balaclavas, two of whom were carrying sledgehammers, got out of a silver Volkswagen Scirocco, and smashed the windscreen and driver's window of the GEO Amey prison escort van.

"The van driver was punched but no serious injuries were sustained by escort staff. There were two other prisoners in the van at the time, neither of whom were released."

The drama unfolded near to the prison at 8.20am in Hewell Lane, Tardebigge, near Bromsgrove.

The Scirroco drove off at speed. The group are believed to have switched to a silver Mercedes car in Stoney Lane, Bromsgrove, soon after. Roads around the area were sealed off as police searched the area.

Det Insp Marsden added: "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 was due to make an appearance at the crown court, having appeared at Cannock Magistrates Court last week.

Also charged with murder is Andrew Hill, aged 49, of Constantine Way, Bilston,

Leigh Astbury, 31, from Wolverhampton, Darryl Dickens, 33, and David Harrison, 62, also both from Bilston. Hill appeared in court today and was remanded in custody. Police have spent 18 months investigating the murder of Mr Deakin, which led to the five being charged over the last few weeks.

Father-of-two Mr Deakin was lying in bed at the family home in Meadway Street, Chasetown, at around 8.10am on July 5 when he was shot.

The Walsall skip hire boss, whose fiancee Megan and their young daughters Ellie and Jessica were out at the time, was killed instantly. He was 27.

Police launched several appeals to encourage witnesses to come forward, the latest of which coincided with the anniversary of Mr Deakin's death. They offered a £20,000 reward for information.

In December 2010 CCTV images were shown on BBC's Crimewatch of a hitman walking through Mr Deakin's back garden. The gunman walked past a Wendy house and children's buggies before going into the home. Mr Deakin went to Cheslyn Hay High School. Anslow is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with short straight dark brown hair.

Information on his whereabouts can be passed on to West Mercia Police on 0300 333 30000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.