Joe Robinson, 22, from Accrington, who spent months with Kurdish rebels, held at airport on suspicion of terrorism offences

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

A former soldier who went to Syria to fight against Islamic State has been arrested at Manchester airport on suspicion of terrorism offences.

Joe Robinson, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire, spent months in Syria with Kurdish rebels after going on the run from UK police.

A bench warrant was issued for his arrest in July after he failed to appear at Burnley crown court accused of breaching a court order.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph that he expected to be met by police when he arrived back on the easyJet flight for breaching a suspended sentence.

In August 2014 he pleaded guilty to a wounding offence after breaking a man’s jaw and received a 12-month jail term suspended for 24 months.

Greater Manchester police confirmed that a 22-year-old man from Lancashire had been arrested on Thursday under section five of the Terrorism Act.

A spokesman for the force said: “A man from Lancashire has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism offences. He has been taken into police custody for questioning.”