Six in court over murder suspect John Anslow's custody escape
Six men were appearing in court today charged with helping murder suspect John Anslow escape from police custody.
Anslow, who is wanted in connection with the murder of Staffordshire father Richard Deakin, was sprung from a prison van in January 2012.
All six have been charged with conspiracy to assist in his escape and were due before Birmingham Magistrates Court.
A seventh arrested man has not been charged and has been released on police bail. Two of the charged include Luke Hazel, aged 25, of Old Smithy Place, Hockley, and?Robert Riddell, 41, of Flamborough Close, Shard End, who were remanded in custody today to appear before Birmingham Crown Court on March 15.
On the day of the escape, 32-year-old Anslow, from Tipton, was being taken from HMP Hewell in Redditch to Stafford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.
Anslow is still at large. His escape – the first by a category A prisoner in 17 years – sparked debate in the Lords and a security review by the Ministry of Justice.
Mr Deakin, 27, was shot twice in his bed in Meadway Street, Chasetown, in 2010.
