Absconder spotted in Horsham is caught in London

An absconder from HMP Ford who was spotted in Horsham last week has been caught in London.
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Michael O’Rourke, 36, was caught in the Westminster area of London in the early hours of Tuesday May 12 after a joint operation involving Sussex Police, the Metropolitan Police and the prison service.

It was reported O’Rourke had absconded from Ford Open Prison on Wednesday May 6 and was spotted in Horsham where he was known to have caught a taxi at around 9pm from Horsham railway station.

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He has been charged with escaping lawful custody and was remanded to appear in court on Wednesday.

PC Lewis Dines from the Sussex Police team that investigates absconders from Ford said: “This is an excellent example of the police and prison services working together across counties.

“It sends a clear message out to those who abscond from the prisons that they will be found and they will be prosecuted further for doing so.”

Anyone with any information about an absconder from HMP Ford can contact [email protected] or call 101 quoting Operation Parcel.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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