POLICE have recaptured a prisoner who absconded while carrying out community work.

Bernard Lee Sharkey, 34, was jailed in 2006 after he was convicted of being part of a gang armed with a baseball bat and samurai sword who laid seige to a home in Middlesbrough.

 

He was working at a visitor attraction on Teesside last Thursday when he absconded.

Police said the escape was likely to have been premeditated because he was picked up a silver saloon car.

One person on Teesside, believed to be under particular threat from Sharkey, was given police protection.

Tonight Cleveland Police said Sharkey had been arrested at a caravan park near Stokesley.