Escapee from police custody in Banbury still wanted by police

Thames Valley Police have launched a re-appeal for help in the search for a man who escaped from police custody in Banbury last month.
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Police arrested Lewis Abubakar, aged 29, on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs in Bicester on Wednesday April 14. He was arrested after a vehicle he was in was found to contain what police said was a significant amount of class A drugs.

Following Abubakar’s arrest, he stated he had a wrist injury and was taken to Horton General Hospital in Banbury for treatment.

Although he was handcuffed, Abubakar fled from the A&E department of the hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning April 15.

The handcuff on Abubakar’s injured wrist was loosened, and it is believed he may have slipped this handcuff in making his escape.

Abubakar is a black male and around 6 feet 3 inches tall with a medium build.

He has short black hair and short, tidy beard.

He is known to frequent the Banbury, Bicester and Oxford areas as well as Birmingham in the West Midlands.

Thames Valley Police have launched a re-appeal for help in the search for Lewis Abubakar, who escaped from police custody in Banbury last month.Thames Valley Police have launched a re-appeal for help in the search for Lewis Abubakar, who escaped from police custody in Banbury last month.
Thames Valley Police have launched a re-appeal for help in the search for Lewis Abubakar, who escaped from police custody in Banbury last month.

Police have arrested a 30-year-old man from Banbury on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection to search for Lewis Abubakar.

Investigating officer Sergeant Steve Willis, based at Banbury police station, said: “Abubakar fled from the hospital, still in handcuffs, in the early hours of Thursday 15 April.

“Despite ongoing efforts to arrest him, we have, as yet, not been able to trace him.

“We believe he is still in the local area, and as such, we are appealing to anybody who knows of his whereabouts to call police on 999, quoting reference number 43210158051.

“I would like to stress that if anybody is harbouring Abubakar, or helping him to evade us, this is an offence for which you may be prosecuted.

“However, we are willing to receive information in the strictest confidence, and you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 to provide information as to Abubakar’s whereabouts.

“Although we do not believe Abubakar to be a danger to the public, it is important that we locate him and so we would urge that should you see him, do not approach him, but call 999 immediately.

“You can also report his whereabouts in the strictest confidence via our non-emergency number 101, or make a report online.”