A Leigh man accused of burglary fled from a police station after being charged.

Sean Bourke was quickly re-captured - but, although the burglary charge was later dropped, he ended up at Liverpool Crown Court for the escape offence.

After hearing that 26-year-old Bourke has psychiatric problems, a judge placed him on probation for 18 months.

Andrew Downie, prosecuting, told the court that Bourke was arrested on October 15 last year for allegedly breaking into a newsagents shop in Leigh.

The next day he was formally charged, and bolted towards the exit. Officers chased him and he was detained on the steps of the police station and placed in a cell, said Mr Downie.

Miss Sharon Amesu, defending, said Bourke had been under the care of a doctor since September, regularly sees the mental health team and is taking his medication.

"He was changed significantly in his personality and attitude to life," she said.