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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Identity switch twin flees court | Identity switch twin flees court |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Police are searching for a man who escaped from custody after switching identities with his twin brother. | Police are searching for a man who escaped from custody after switching identities with his twin brother. |
| Simon MacLellan, 27, from Gosport, has not been seen since Friday afternoon when he was released by magistrates. | |
| MacLellan was on remand at HMP Winchester in connection with a serious assault. His twin, Mark, is also on remand for a less serious offence. | |
| Hampshire Police said a 27-year-old man had been arrested in connection with aiding and abetting an escape. | Hampshire Police said a 27-year-old man had been arrested in connection with aiding and abetting an escape. |
| Mark MacLellan was due to appear at Fareham Magistrates' Court. | |
| It is thought the pair - who are non-identical twins - switched identities in prison and the wrong brother was taken to court. | |
| The mistake was spotted by prison officials shortly after 2100 BST on Friday. | |
| 'History of violence' | |
| People are being advised not to approach Simon MacLellan if they see him as he could be violent. | |
| Police are conducting enquiries with MacLellan's friends, family and associates. | |
| "We are currently doing everything we can to find him and would strongly advise people if they see him not to approach him," said Detective Inspector Joanne Smith, from Fareham CID. | |
| "McLellan has a history of violence and should not be approached under any circumstances." | |
| A statement released by the Ministry of Justice said: "A prisoner from HMP Winchester was mistakenly released instead of his brother. | A statement released by the Ministry of Justice said: "A prisoner from HMP Winchester was mistakenly released instead of his brother. |
| "The prison are treating it as an escape and an internal investigation is under way. | "The prison are treating it as an escape and an internal investigation is under way. |
| "This is now a matter for the police." | "This is now a matter for the police." |