A MAN who failed to attend court three years ago to face charges arising out of an incident which left a policeman needing hospital treatment has been arrested on the south coast.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Vincent Bohnen, 35, formerly of Laurel Court, Rochdale, after he failed to attend court in 1996.

Bohnen had been conditionally bailed by Hyndburn magistrates charged with stealing a Land Rover Discovery and possessing an offensive weapon, and was due to face committal proceedings to send the case to crown court.

The Land Rover was involved in an incident with a police car in Haslingden on September 24, 1996.

The driver of the patrol car, PC Gordon Dickinson, received hospital treatment for a knee injury and cuts to his head after the incident.

Bohnen was arrested on Thursday in the Eastbourne area and is expected to appear in court soon.

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