'Shopping' prisoner attacks woman

Police arrested the prisoner two hours after his escape

An investigation is under way after a prisoner was accused of attacking a woman when he escaped during an escorted shopping trip.

The unnamed man, who was from Wayland jail in Norfolk, managed to evade a prison officer before fleeing during a visit to Norwich on Friday.

He is then alleged to have attacked a woman with a brick in the toilets of Norwich City College.

She needed hospital treatment following the incident, said police.

Not handcuffed

A police spokesman said: "The man has been interviewed in connection with the assault and has been bailed.

"He has been returned to the prison while we continue with our inquiries."

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a prisoner at Wayland Prison, Norfolk, a category C prison, absconded on Friday while on an escorted town visit.

"We understand the prisoner is alleged to have assaulted a woman during this time.

"This is now a matter for the police. The Prison Service will be carrying out a full investigation."

The man was on the run for almost two hours before he was recaptured.

The spokeswoman said the prisoner would have been risk assessed before the visit and he was not handcuffed.

He was being escorted by one prison officer, she said.

It is understood the woman, who has not been named, needed stitches after suffering a head injury.