The man who sparked an armed police search of Falmouth last month is behind bars awaiting sentencing for assaulting his former partner.

Dylan Wilkes, 30, of Pendarves Road, appeared at Truro Crown Court last Thursday, after finally being apprehended after weeks on the run.

His capture ended a police search for him which had seen armed officers on the streets of Falmouth for several days at the end of last month.

Police at the time said they believed he may have access to a firearm, but refused to identify him until his court appearance last week.

Wilkes was charged with assaulting Demelza Gall, and pleaded guilty on the basis that he had punched Miss Gall in the face once, but he denied having cut off her fringe with a pair of scissors and chipping her tooth.

After the assault, he was captured after being spotted crossing the River Fal to Flushing in a kayak.

However, he either capsized or water got into the kayak, and he was forced to swim to the shore wearing only his underpants, prosecutor Iain Leadbetter told the court.

Judge Christopher heard evidence from Wilkes and his victim, and then ruled: "I am absolutely sure that he is guilty on the full facts as advanced by the Crown".

Wilkes was remanded in custody to await sentence on December 15, following the preparation of a probation officer's report.

*For the full story, please see this week's edition of the Packet.