Prisoner cuts off ear, then escapes with masked gang

A prisoner had part of his ear cut off in a "calculated" sequence of events so he could escape from an ambulance in Greater Manchester, police have said. Michael O'Donnell, who had been sharing a cell with his brother, is on the run from HMP Salford after his ambulance was held up by masked men on Sunday.

Greater Manchester Police believe either the 28-year-old or his brother hacked off part of his left ear. A police spokesman said it was "calculated on O'Donnell's behalf". Shortly after 0130 BST on Sunday, O'Donnell, who was awaiting sentence after being convicted of a robbery plot, told prison staff he had sustained an injury in his cell... Bbc with video