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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Identity switch twin flees court | Identity switch twin flees court |
| (40 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The mistake was spotted by prison officials shortly after 2100 BST on Friday. |
| 'History of violence' | 'History of violence' |
| People are being advised not to approach Simon MacLellan if they see him as he could be violent. | People are being advised not to approach Simon MacLellan if they see him as he could be violent. |
| "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. | "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." | "McLellan has a history of violence and should not be approached under any circumstances." |
| McLellan is described as white, with brown hair and blue eyes. | |
| He is 5ft 8in and slim and was last seen wearing a grey polo shirt with a small white stripe across the chest and blue jeans. | |
| 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." |
| MacLellan is due to stand trial in August in connection with an offence of grievous bodily harm following an assault in Gosport in December 2008. |