A MAN who sparked a nationwide manhunt over an alleged murder and the abduction of a couple was arrested in Southampton yesterday.

Daniel Breaks, wanted for questioning over the death of a 40-year-old man and abduction, was arrested at the Asda store in the city centre.

However it was not until police arrested him over alleged shoplifting, that they realised Breaks was wanted by Merseyside Police for alleged murder and abduction.

The 47-year-old was wanted for questioning by Merseyside Police over the death of Simon Sutton, whose body was found in Birkenhead, Merseyside, on Monday.

It is believed Mr Sutton was killed on April 10 following a drunken row with his girlfriend, who is Daniel Breaks' sister.

Breaks is also alleged to have abducted an elderly couple from their home in Chester-le-Street, County Durham on April 9.

The couple, aged in their 60s, were friends of Breaks, but he allegedly threatened them with a knife and drove them to London in their own car before releasing them unharmed in the early hours of April 10.

The hunt for Breaks ended at 11.30am yesterday morning when Southampton police arrested both him and a woman for alleged shoplifting at the Asda store.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said that Breaks was arrested along with a 36-year-old woman, from Wirral, on suspicion of murder.

She said: "The two were arrested in the Southampton area this morning. Officers from Merseyside Police are en route to collect the two who will be returned to Merseyside later today for questioning."