Two children who had been on the run with their parents for more than two weeks have been handed over to social services.

Jason Patmore, nine, and his sister Sheree, six, went missing with their mother and father Tara Dalton and Jason Patmore, both 26, after a care order was passed on the youngsters.

Police had been searching for the family, of Vega Close, Colchester, since February 15.

Their mother finally came out of hiding and handed the two children over to the county court in Chelmsford yesterday.

The youngsters appeared fit and well, said police. They were today understood to be in the care of foster parents.

The couple's third child, Lee, five, has already been taken into care by social services.

A spokesman for the county court said it has decided to take no action against Ms Dalton.

Patmore was arrested in Kent on Sunday and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He was charged with burgling the East Ham old people's home in Woodham Ferrers on January 31 last year.

An application for bail was denied and Patmore was remanded until March 11. He is expected to be dealt with by the county court for contempt of the order to hand over the children.

Chief Superintendent Dave Murthwaite, divisional police commander for Colchester, said: "I am pleased a dedicated effort by police officers has culminated in the safe return of the children."

Christine Hill, social services' county manager for assessment and care management, said: "The children are now in the care of the local authority".

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002