The court heard Jamie Cooper was being transported to Lancaster magistrates to answer charges of assault, criminal damage and assaulting an emergency worker.
Nicola Mills, prosecuting at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, said Cooper had escaped from the Geoamy van on Wednesday.
He was spotted in a car in Bolton on Saturday morning and police followed the vehicle to Blackburn where Cooper was arrested.
She said Cooper escaped from the van after pretending to throttle himself with a seat belt.
Staff pulled over because of concerns for his welfare and he overwhelmed them before running off.
Jane Novas-Morell, defending, said her client would be pleading guilty to the charge at the crown court.
Cooper, 33, of Bairstow Street, Blackpool, was charged with escaping from lawful custody and was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court where he will appear on April 22.
The assault and criminal damage charges were sent to the crown court to be sentenced.
