A fugitive, whose absconsion from an open prison sparked a police search across Scotland and England, has been found in London.

Ivan Leach, 47, had been on the run from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire since October 9. Police had warned the public not to approach him under any circumstances.

Also known as Lee Cyril, he was wanted for questioning about a rape in Perth committed while police hunted for him.

On October 15 a woman was woken and raped by an intruder in her home, and the following day a mattress was stolen from her home.

Police arrested Leach on suspicion of a number of offences this morning in the Camden area, Scotland Yard said. He is currently in custody in a north London police station.

Leach, from Preston, was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90-year-old woman in her home in the city. He was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of five years.