Escaped prisoner arrested three months after walking out of open jail

A prisoner who absconded from an open jail alongside a fellow inmate has been arrested by police following an appeal broadcast on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme.

Kenneth Simmonds went on the run from Springhill open prison in Grendon Underwood in October 2014 alongside Lewis Hoare, who was jailed for being part of a gang who murdered a man falsely accused of being a paedophile.

Simmonds was arrested in Sutton, London, on Saturday, police said today (Monday) and recalled to prison.

The 43 year old was spotted by a member of the public following an appeal on the long-running BBC show in December.

Hoare handed himself in to British Transport Police at South Ruislip Station two days after the pair escaped.