A convicted child killer serving life for murder has been charged after trying to escape from court with a weapon.

Richard Kwakye, from Twickenham, was brought to Kingston County Court on Monday, June 18, for a family-related matter, but managed to escape the court room.

Last July, the 29-year-old was jailed for 35 years for the murder of Siariah Letang, a 19-month-old girl from Thornton Heath.

Officers managed to catch up with the 29-year-old on St James Road, outside Kingston College.

He was later charged with escaping lawful custody, two counts of actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

During the drama, which happened at about 4.50pm, two security guards received cuts and were taken to hospital as a precaution.

Kwakye was held in custody overnight before being returned to prison on Tuesday, June 19.

Toddler Siariah died of smoke inhalation after petrol was poured through the letterbox of her grandmother's home in Camberwell, as the family slept.

Kwakye was sentenced to a further 25 years to run concurrently for the attempted murder of her mum, grandmother and two other children who escaped from the building.

During the trial at the Old Bailey last June, the jury heard how Kwakye started the fire on September 18, 2010 at the maisonette in a revenge attack after a fall out with the family.

His 19-year-old brother Dimitri John-Lewis from Paddington, was jailed for 10 years for the manslaughter of Siariah.

He was also sentenced to a further two years to run consecutively, for perverting the course of justice.

Their mother Josephine Nicolas 46, was also jailed for four years for perverting the course of justice.