A man who allegedly escaped from the dock during a court hearing and went on the run has been detained.

Police had been appealing for help to locate William Reader who is said to have fled from Medway Magistrates' Court.

It is claimed the 25-year-old, of no fixed address, had broken free from the courtroom and escaped the building on Saturday morning.

Reader was arrested at 5.55pm yesterday at an address in Britton Street, Gillingham.

He has now been charged with escaping from lawful custody, assaulting a member of court staff and possessing cannabis.

He is due to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court again today.

Members of the public were told to expect an increased police presence in the Medway Towns over the weekend and a helicopter was called in to help a search near the Great Lines park in Gillingham on Saturday.