A dangerous armed robber who escaped from a prision van prompting a nationwide man hunt has been sentenced to three and a half years behind bars for his attempt at freedom.

Craig Hickinbottom, formerly of Oldbury, remained at large for nine days after two men armed with a gun and wearing balaclavas freed him from a Reliance prison van.

The 24-year-old admitted escaping from lawful custody and was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court last Wednesday (May 15).

Threatened Chief Inspector Steve Eccleston, said: "This was an extremely traumatic experience for the driver of the prison escort van and his colleague who were threatened with a gun, and for the members of the public who witnessed the incident.

"Hickinbottom was considered dangerous and a nationwide search was launched for him.

"This operation involved a significant number of officers from both West Mercia Constabulary and West Midlands Police and this close co-operation played a key part in the successful recapture of Hickinbottom."

Hickinbottom had been serving a sentence of five years and 11 months for armed robbery after he and his gang raided Alldays in Glebe Lane, Stourbridge and McDonalds in Dudley Road, Kingswinford, in 2002. He had been released from prison on licence in June and was recalled a few days later.

On September 27 he appeared at Redditch Magistrates' Court from HMP Blakenhurst in connection with a driving whilst disqualified charge and was being transported back to prison when he was freed.

The driver was threatened with a gun and the van was forced to stop in Hewell Lane where Hickinbottom was boosted out by two balaclava-clad men before they sped off in a silver Audi.

Hickinbottom was arrested at an address in Smethwick on October 5.