'Twin switch' prisoner in court

A remand prisoner accused of escaping from a court by pretending to be his twin brother has been sent back into custody after appearing in court.

Simon Maclellan, 27, from Gosport in Hampshire, is charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice and escaping lawful custody.

He did not enter a plea when he appeared before Portsmouth magistrates.

His brother Mark, 27, was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Lesser offence

He is due to appear before Portsmouth magistrates on 30 July.

Simon Maclellan was on remand at HMP Winchester for a serious assault, when he allegedly walked free from a court on Friday afternoon.

He is accused of pretending to be his twin brother, who was also on remand for a lesser offence and was due to be released by magistrates.

He will next appear at Portsmouth Crown Court in October.

A third man, Mark Reedes, 27, arrested over the incident has been charged with obstructing police and cultivating cannabis. He is also due in court on 30 July.