A murder suspect has been caught trying to flee the country by crossing the English Channel in a small, inflatable dinghy.

The man, who is in his 40s and cannot be named for legal reasons, was brought ashore at Dungeness lifeboat station after being spotted drifting in the waters off St Mary's Bay.

When approached by the coastguard, it is understood the foolhardy sailor insisted he did not require any assistance.

He explained he was trying to leave the UK after his work visa had expired.

But when his name was shared with police it emerged there was a warrant out for his arrest following a suspected murder earlier this month.

A crew member involved in the rescue told MailOnline the man had been "very reluctant to get on the lifeboat".

"Eventually after about 40 minutes he agreed to come aboard," they said.

"He said the reason he was trying to cross the Channel was that his work visa had run out."

At the lifeboat station, on Dungeness Road, the man was medically assessed and given coffee and biscuits to warm him up.

Because he had been found carrying a passport, it was possible to identify him. He was kept occupied while armed police were dispatched to bring him in.

He was subsequently handed over to the police force investigating the killing, which can not be revealed for legal reasons, before being charged and remanded in custody until his trial takes place.