Prisoner realeased in error hands himself in

A prisoner who was charged with murder and released from custody "in error" has handed himself in, police said.

Jason Bethell, 31, of Jaywick, Essex, gave himself up to officers at Clacton police station last night.

Police had launched a manhunt for Bethell, who they considered to be a danger to the public, after he was accidentally released from Chelmsford Prison on Monday.

Bethell was charged with the murder of 58-year-old John Smith who died following a stabbing.

Mr Smith died in hospital two months after he was injured in Jaywick on 11 July.

Bethell was charged with murder on 9 November and was remanded in custody by magistrates in Colchester.

A police spokesman said he will now be returned to prison where he will remain on remand until his appearance at Chelmsford Crown Court in February.