A 24-year-old man has been charged with stealing a van while on the run from police custody.

Michael Tutt was charged yesterday with escaping lawful custody after absconding from Eastleigh police station in Hampshire on December 7.

He was charged with taking a motor vehicle without consent, in connection with the theft of a Mercedes Sprinter van in Banbury on Sunday and driving a motor vehicle without a licence or insurance.

He was arrested in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday at about 10pm.

Tutt, of Parkhouse Drive, Birmingham, was also charged with criminal damage to a property in Newport Pagnall and has been remanded in custody to appear at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court on January 3.