Man arrested at airport on suspicion of escaping lawful custody

A suspected prison absconder has been charged by Kent Police after officers were alerted to a suspicious helicopter flying above Rochester. Officers were alerted to the aircraft’s activity at 11.30am on Tuesday 31 July and its unusual behaviour led them to believe the aircraft was being used in criminal activity. Once the helicopter was at Rochester Airport, in Maidstone Road, three men were arrested. Following enquiries Jonathan Nicholls, 36 and of Hargate Road in Liverpool, has been charged with being a temporarily released prisoner who remained unlawfully at large. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 2 August. A 55-year-old man from Liverpool and a 59-year-old man from Lancashire were also arrested on suspicion of assisting a prisoner. They have been bailed, pending further enquiries, until 28 August. If you see any activity or behaviour you think is suspicious around an airfield, coastline or waterway, report it: For all non-urgent crime call 101. In an emergency or if life is in danger, call