A ‘DANGEROUS MAN’ who was being hunted by police has been found in Dorchester after an appeal in our sister paper the Dorset Echo.

James Robertson Rennie, aged 31, went missing from a treatment centre in Weymouth on Thursday afternoon.

Rennie had been released from prison on licence and had been serving a nine-year sentence for burglary, attempted burglary and robbery, all against elderly people.

DI Guy Shimmons from Dorset Police described the fugitive as a ‘dangerous man’ and warned members of the public not to approach Rennie.

As part of the terms of his release, Rennie had to live at the treatment centre and when he went missing a nationwide manhunt was sparked.

Following a description and picture of Rennie in Saturday’s Echo, a member of the public called the police to say they had spotted Rennie in Dorchester.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “At about 4.30pm on Saturday, June 26, James Robertson Rennie was arrested at an address in Dorchester, as a result of information provided by a member of the public responding to a recent media appeal on the issue.

“Rennie was wanted on a recall to prison following his refusal to conform to the terms of his release, including that he should reside in a treatment centre in Weymouth.”

He added: “Dorset Police wish to thank all members of the public and media for their help in this case.”

Although Rennie lived in Weymouth, police said that he had friends in Brighton and London and family in Scotland that he could have gone to stay with.

PC Kevin House, of Dorchester Police Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “It’s certainly very rewarding due to publicity in the Echo that we have been able to catch him so quickly.”

Traders in Dorchester town centre reported seeing the police helicopter hovering over the town on Saturday afternoon and hearing sirens on High West Street.

Dorchester mayor, Les Phillips, said that Rennie’s recapture was ‘good news.’ Coun Molly Rennie, who is no relation to the wanted man, said the article in the Echo had highlighted the need for people to be safety conscious.

Community safety spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Ian James praised the police and the member of the public for coming forward.

He said: “It is absolutely brilliant news. I am really pleased this person is back in custody.

“It goes to show that with public help, anything is achievable.”