Police make arrest in connection to man wanted for escape from police custody at Banbury's Horton General Hospital

Thames Valley Police arrested a 30-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The arrest was in connection to the escape from lawful custody by Lewis Abubakar last month.

Abubakar remains at large and searches are underway in the Banbury area.

Lewis Abubakar, aged 29, had been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs in Bicester on Wednesday April 14 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.

Abubaker fled from the A&E department of the hospital in the early morning hours of Thursday April 15.

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.

After the incident 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.

"Despite efforts to locate him, we have, as yet, been unsuccessful, and as such, we are appealing to anybody who knows of his whereabouts to call police on 999, quoting reference number 43210158051.

“Although we do not believe Abubakar to be a danger to the public, we would urge that should you see him, do not approach him, but call 999 immediately.”