A dangerous armed robber who went on the run from a Kent prison for more than two months is now back behind bars.

William Pearce, 39, sparked a manhunt when he went missing from HMP Standford Hill on the Isle of Sheppey - where he was serving a life sentence - on Monday, May 9.

Police have now confirmed he was arrested in Bexleyheath on Sunday and returned to jail.

The force was criticised at the time of his disappearance for waiting three days to warn the public he was on the loose.

Pearce was sentenced to life in prison at Maidstone Crown Court in 2003 for an armed robbery committed in Bexley in January 2001.

He was serving his sentence in the open prison at the time of his disappearance.

MP Gordon Henderson said he was going to write to the Ministry of Justice to ask why Pearce was not being kept in a high security jail.