A wanted man was captured within hours of his photograph appearing in The Argus.

A reader spotted the picture, called police, and officers in protective gear yesterday raided a flat in Portslade where Carlo Dawes was hiding.

He was led away in handcuffs and as he sat in a police vehicle he said to officers: "What's all this stuff about me in The Argus - it was a bit over the top wasn't it?"

The Argus yesterday published a photograph of Dawes after Sussex Police posted a £500 reward for his arrest.

Dawes, jailed for three years for a vicious attack, was freed two years later but breached the terms of his release.

Magistrates issued a return to prison order last Christmas Eve but police were unable to find him.

Sussex Police took the unusual step of offering a cash reward for information leading to his capture.

Inspector Steve Curry said at the time: "We want this man locked up again and we would urge anyone who knows his whereabouts to call us."

After the arrest yesterday, Mr Curry said: "I want to thank The Argus and the reader who called. Publishing the details of Dawes' offence moved the reader to doing the right thing."

Dawes, 27, a roofer, of Newick Road, Moulsecoomb, was jailed at Hove Crown Court in September, 2002, for what the judge described as a "sickening" attack.

His victim Cliff Johnson was repeatedly kicked and punched in a prolonged assault which ended with one attacker saying: "Let's go. I think we've killed him."

Dawes pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two youths, 16 and 15, were given detention and training orders after admitting their parts in the attack. Three other gang members were never identified.

Father-of-two Mr Johnson, 43, lost three teeth and suffered skull and rib fractures and blurred vision after the incident in Goodwood Way, Moulsecoomb.