Police are hunting a man who escaped from custody while he was being transferred to remand prison.

Steven Wardle is on the loose having escaped from security staff who were transporting him from hospital to prison.

A spokesperson from West Midlands Police said the 46-year-old was at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, when he fled from private security staff.

He was remanded into custody but was taken from the court to New Cross Hospital due to a medical issue.

A spokesperson from West Midlands Police said: "A man's been arrested this afternoon on suspicion of escaping lawful custody after he fled from hospital while on his way to prison.

"The suspect, aged 46, appeared before Wolverhampton magistrates on June 6 charged with drugs and domestic abuse offences.

"He was remanded into custody, but was taken from the court to New Cross Hospital due to a medical issue.

"Just before 5pm, he escaped from private security staff who were in the process of transferring him to prison."

The spokesperson continued: "This afternoon he was arrested in Wolverhampton. We'd like to thank the public who shared our earlier appeal to trace the suspect."