Escaped convict found inside sofa

Fred King Junior was found inside a sofa at his home in Hailsham

An escaped prisoner has been found hiding in a sofa at his home after an anonymous tip-off.

Police had been hunting for Fred King Junior since the beginning of October, when he absconded from Stanford Hill Prison in Sheerness, Kent.

After searching his council house in Hailsham, East Sussex they found him hiding in the lining of a sofa.

He is now in the custody of Sussex Police, who are waiting to transfer him to another prison.

"This is proof that we rely on members of the public to assist us," said Inspector Bob Brown.

"I would like to thank everybody for their help - at long last Mr King will be returned to prison."

A spokesman said further inquiries were being made in connection with offences of harbouring an escaped prisoner.