» Man charged with escaping from prison van in court

A man charged with escaping from a prison van and evading authorities for three days has appeared in court.

Jamie Cooper is accused of escaping from lawful custody after he left the vehicle on the M55 near Preston while travelling to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning.

The 33-year-old was arrested in Blackburn on Saturday after a car travelling from Bolton was stopped.

Appearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court, his remand in custody was extended and he was scheduled to attend Preston Crown Court on 22 April.