Two cleared in John Anslow escape trial

Anslow was dramatically sprung from the van by three balaclava-clad-men wielding sledgehammers and a shotgun.

The 33-year-old – a suspect in a Staffordshire murder – had been en route to Stafford Crown Court from HMP Hewell near Redditch when he escaped on January 23 last year.

Prison officers were attacked and threatened during the daring escape, after which Tipton man Anslow was driven away.

Craig Wright, aged 29 and of no fixed address and Anslow's partner Samantha Glover, 27 of Parkes Lane in Tipton were cleared of their involvement by jurors at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday.

There was a hung jury in the case of the trial's final defendant, Daniel Morgan, 29 of Parkeston Crescent in Birmingham. Prosecutors now have a week to decide if they will ask for a retrial.

Anslow helped orchestrate his own escape with a mobile phone he had in prison, which he used to contact fellow defendants including when in the prison van itself.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said it had been a 'challenging' inquiry.

He added: "This was an incredibly complex and detailed investigation into what was a carefully planned and well thought out escape involving numerous people.

"It's a satisfying end to the trial and reflects the hard work that went into it and to see organised criminals be convicted of such offences."

Of the 11 originally charged with conspiracy to escape, five pleaded guilty, two were found guilty by jurors, three were found not guilty and there was a hung jury for Morgan.

Earlier this week Stuart Reid, 51 of Church Lane in Coventry and Robert Riddell, 41 of Flamborough Close, Castle Bromwich. were convicted of the same charge, while 30-year-old Ben O'Reilly of on Austin Croft in Castle Bromwich was discharged after being found not guilty.

Anslow pleaded guilty to conspiring to escape from custody before the trial began, as did four others.