Prisoner escapes after armed raid on van( in UK)

LONDON (Reuters) - A prisoner escaped from the security van in which he was being taken to court for trial after it was held up by two men armed with a shotgun.

 

The Serco van had just left Feltham Young Offenders Institute in west London en route to Woolwich Crown Court in the east of the capital at about 7:30 a.m. when it was forced to pull over by the armed suspects' car.

 

The men, wearing balaclavas, approached the van and smashed the driver's side window. The driver and a colleague were threatened with the gun and the men demanded the release of Wayne Connor.

 

The 20-year-old, who was due to go on trial later on Monday accused of aggravated burglary and GBH, made off in the car with the armed men.

 

The driver of the van was taken to hospital where he is said to be in a stable condition.

 

(Reporting by Michael Holden)

12.01.2009