Men in court over jail escape

Four men have appeared in court charged in connection with the escape of several inmates from a Staffordshire young offenders institute.

Craig Ramsey, of Tudor Street, Walsall and Lee Oldhouse, of Brinsford Young Offenders Institution, both aged 19, appeared before Cannock Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Alongside them were 20-year-olds Nicholas Paul Hodgetts, of Bush Avenue, Smethwick, and Ryan Kirk, of Chads Drive, also in Smethwick.

The court heard that the group face charges relating to escaping from custody, conspiracy to escape and assaulting a prison officer after a breakout at Brinsford Young Offenders Institute in Featherstone on Monday.

The men were all remanded in custody to appear before Stafford Crown Court next Friday for a preliminary hearing.

The breakout at Brinsford happened at 1945 BST on Monday.