Man escaped prison by fax - twice

Spanish police have arrested a man who twice escaped from custody by having his wife send fake faxes ordering his release.

Jose Carlos Serna, 57, was found hiding in a hollowed-out sofa at his home in San Lorenzo del Escorial, north of Madrid, reports the Daily Telegraph.

He had escaped in December, when he was in a cell at Arganda del Rey courthouse awaiting trial when officers got a fax purportedly from a regional court.

It was followed by a phone call purportedly from a court official, corroborating the release order.

Spanish officers tried to verify the order, but their calls went unanswered. When a second call was received confirming Serna's release, he was freed to a waiting taxi.

Police said Serna used the same trick to escape from Valdemoro jail in October.