Gary Butcher 57

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AN "EXTREMELY dangerous" sex offender who escaped from prison has been captured following a frantic manhunt.

Cops had urged anyone who spotted predator Gary Butcher, 55, to call them immediately after he absconded from HMP North Sea Camp in Boston, Lincolnshire on Tuesday.

The thug had been sentenced to life behind bars for aggravated burglary.

He also has a number of convictions for sex attacks on women.

Detectives spent three days tracking him down, and he was finally arrested by an officer from Derbyshire Constabulary shortly after 11.30am on Friday.

Butcher was found in the Swadlincote area of Derbyshire after approaching the officer to hand himself in.

He remains in police custody tonight.

A 56-year-old man was arrested on Thursday night on suspicion of assisting an offender. He too remains in police custody.

Butcher will be returned to closed prison conditions while the investigation continues.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Rachael Cox said: "Following a round-the-clock investigation to bring Butcher into custody, I'm pleased to be able to say that we have now apprehended this man.

"At this stage, we don't believe he's committed further offences.

"Our appeal has had huge support from the public, and we're very grateful for that, and would like to say thank you to everyone who shared our appeal or provided information.

"This was very much a collaborative effort with our officers and staff working tirelessly with neighbouring forces and partner agencies to apprehend Butcher."

Officers had warned earlier this week that Butcher may try to "charm his way into homes".

Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson said she believes he is "extremely dangerous".

Butcher's prison dash came just three months after fellow sex offender Paul Robson escaped from the same jail.

Robson was jailed in 2000 after breaking into a woman's home and sexually assaulting her.

He was eventually found in Skegness following a four-day search.