POLICE have found the man who escaped from them while he was in a hospital emergency department – and released him.

David Woolridge, 21, who was due to appear before Swindon magistrates last Saturday on drugs charges, was in custody at Melksham when he was taken to the Bath RUH on Friday night and slipped away.

Wiltshire Police said today he had been located in Reading and arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and escaping from lawful custody.

“He was returned to custody and has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue,” they added.