Manhunt ends with capture of prisoner in Swansea Valley

A PRISONER who escaped from a secure hospital is back behind bars.

Austin Lee Phillips featured in the Evening Post's 12 Rogues of Christmas last week as one of the people police in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot wanted help in finding.

CAUGHT: Austin Lee Phillips
Ricky Lee Davies.
Robert Lloyd Evans.
Katie Rundle
Nikodem Czyzewski.
Steven Forty.
David MaClean.
Wayne Andrew Davies.
Martin Smith
Steven Carl Thomas
Christopher Reed-Cambriani.

The 25-year-old had been on remand in Swansea Prison for burglary and violence offences when he was transferred to a hospital in Somerset for a mental health assessment — he absconded on Sunday, December 2.

Phillips was arrested over the weekend in Pontardawe, and appeared before Neath Magistrates Court yesterday charged with escaping from lawful custody.

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No pleas were entered during the hearing, and he was remanded into custody until January 8 when he will appear at Swansea Crown Court.

Police said a 20-year-old woman who was arrested and charged with harbouring an escaped prisoner in connection with the same incident has been bailed to appear at Neath Magistrates Court on January 14.

Meanwhile the hunt for the remaining wanted men and women — who are wanted in connection with a range of offences from burglary and car crime to sexual assault — goes on.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of any of these people is asked to contact police."

Can you help? Call South Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers Cymru anonymously on 0800 555111.