Runaway prisoner Alvone Maybury was charged this morning with escaping lawful custody.

The 24-year-old was flanked by several Police and prison guards during his brief appearance before Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo.

Maybury was glum-faced and silent throughout the hearing, and was not required to enter a plea to the charge.

The slightly-built defendant was surrounded by so many burly guards that when Mr. Tokunbo went to read the charge, he first had to inquire: “Where’s Mr Maybury?”

One he emerged into view, Maybuy could be seen wearing a patterned T-shirt, grey pants and sneakers. His handcuffs were removed during the court proceedings but he was brought in and out of the building amid tight security.

Maybury, of no fixed abode, fled from prison officers outside Magistrates’ Court on July 13 after being charged with three gun offences. Hours later he was posting messages on his Facebook page about life on the run, bragging that he was “free as a bird”.

His exploits hit the headlines around the world, and led him to be dubbed the “Facebook fugitive”.

He was captured yesterday, hiding in a wooden shed behind a house in The Glebe Road, Pembroke.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo remanded him into custody until August 6 when a preliminary hearing is listed.

Both the gun charges and the escaping custody charge will eventually be dealt with at Supreme Court.

A young man and young woman were also arrested with Maybury on suspicion of aiding him in evading justice.

The Police have not revealed their names, and they were not charged in court this morning.

See Saturday's edition of The Royal Gazette for the full story and pictures.