A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said: “The strict security measures we have in place ensure escapes from court custody are extremely rare...
How 'strict' are they, then?
Bunclark, from Netherton in Merseyside, initially buried his head in his hands after being handed his sentence. However, the Liverpool Echo reported that afterwards, following a brief chat with his mother, he wrestled out of officers’ grasp, vaulted the unsecured dock, and fled the courtroom.
Huh! Really..?
Nope!
He was in court for an offence of assault. Why wasn't he handcuffed, especially as the accused's box was insecure?
ReplyDeleteIN a situation like this, the penalty should be drastically increased. Is doubling it enough? Then there's the contempt of court.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I was due to give evidence at a Youth Court and a colleague and I sat at the back waiting for our case be called. The very fussy Clerk of the Court-a real social worker type-asked us to sit outside as she said our presence would intimidate the defendants in the other cases. We gave a long sigh and left.
ReplyDeleteA few minutes later I heard loud shouting from the court and saw two "youths" burst out of the door and run in opposite directions. My mate and I gave chase separately.
I caught mine as he ran into another group of PC's by the door, the other one escaped as he shot out of a fire-door. I had a big wrestle with this 16 year old street robber who was on remand for a dozen knife-point robberies. He obviously spent all day in the gym as he was as strong as hell.
I took him back into the youth court an handed him back to Securicor. They had been guarded by one elderly female security guard and the dock was only waist high (so was she)!!. She had been assaulted and was incredibly upset.
I noticed the Clerk was quite shaken and she had run into a secure area with the Magistrates when it kicked off. I couldn't resist saying to her "Is it OK if I come into the court, don't want to upset these children". She was sucking a lemon and the Magistrate gave me a wry smile and said "thank you officer, please wait at the back if you don't mind".
Jaded
"He was in court for an offence of assault. Why wasn't he handcuffed..."
ReplyDeleteOur emasculated prison service probably considers it 'dehumanising'...
"...the penalty should be drastically increased. Is doubling it enough?"
You'd hope so, wouldn't you?
"I couldn't resist saying to her "Is it OK if I come into the court, don't want to upset these children". She was sucking a lemon and the Magistrate gave me a wry smile and said "thank you officer, please wait at the back if you don't mind"."
Oh, splendid!