A WANTED man from Cinderford who was “mistakenly” released from jail has been arrested.
Devon and Cornwall Police arrested 24-year-old James Taplin yesterday (Wednesday, October 26), with Gloucestershire Constabulary having issued a wanted appeal earlier this month.
A judge had issued a warrant for his arrest after he was mistakenly released from jail.
Taplin, of High Street, Cinderford, was remanded in custody by Cheltenham magistrates on September 24 facing a charge that two days before he had attacked a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and aggravated burglary at Tufthorn Avenue.
But on October 4, Gloucestershire Police issued an appeal for information on Taplin after it was reported he was seen near the Angel Hotel in Coleford with a knife.
He was due to appear at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday, October 14, but did not turn up.
His solicitor, Sarah Jenkins, told the court that he had “apparently been released in error” by Hewell Prison in Worcestershire.
He was again due to appear at Gloucester Crown Court today (Thursday, October 27).
A statement from Gloucestershire Police said: “Taplin was arrested by Devon & Cornwall Police officers yesterday, and he is due to appear at Gloucester Crown Court today, Thursday 27 October.
“Gloucestershire officers had been working with a number of neighbouring police forces and conducting searches at various locations over recent weeks in a bid to locate him.
“Police have thanked everyone who shared the previous wanted appeal and submitted information on his possible whereabouts.”