London - A convicted criminal walked from the dock while the judge was sentencing him and fled court unchallenged.
Deputy District Judge Nick Hayles did not notice Scott Brierley, 29, leaving the courtroom as he handed down a six-week prison sentence for smashing up a family’s home.
Brierley, who has 46 previous convictions, then calmly walked past security staff at the front door of Teesside Magistrates’ Court in Middlesbrough and was still on the run on Tuesday night, more than 24 hours after his escape.
He had admitted causing criminal damage to the home of a stranger two days after he had been released from jail.
The court heard that he used a piece of wood to smash six windows at the home of terrified young mother Katie Temke on January 28, leaving rooms inside covered in glass.
On Tuesday, as police continued their hunt for Brierley, Miss Temke said: ‘How has this been allowed to happen?’
A friend added: ‘The court is a joke, it’s not really a surprise he was able to just walk out right in the middle of the case.’
The farce unfolded on Monday as the judge began making his remarks to Brierley, who had breached his licence by committing the offence only two days after he was freed from a prison sentence for carrying a knife.
Mr Hayles said: ‘Late at night you break all the windows in a house where there were people inside. You completely lost it and saw red. It must have been completely terrifying for them.’
As the district judge concluded by saying he was sending the offender to jail for six weeks, he looked up to see Brierley was gone.
He had quietly walked out of the courtroom, past security staff on the front entrance and on to the street before the judge realised he was addressing an empty dock.
Two security guards then walked into the court with handcuffs to take the offender away, only to discover he was missing, and police were called.
Usually court security officials, who are provided by private contractor GeoAmey, would be told that a prison term is likely so they are prepared before the sentence is read out to take the offender away.
Mr Hayles also ordered Brierley, from Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, to pay £250 (about R 4000) compensation, which will be added to the £1 900 (about R30 000) he already owes the court as a result of some of his previous convictions.
In a statement to the court, Miss Temke said she was left upset and feeling ‘vulnerable’ by the attack.
She added: ‘It was a horrible incident, and when my children hear a bang in the house now they think something bad is about to happen.’
Cleveland Police said: ‘Officers are aware of yesterday’s events and are seeking to locate him.’ Private firm G4S, which is responsible for the security of the court building, said: ‘The court service arrange for prison escorting.’ GeoAmey and HM Court and Tribunal Service have been approached for comment.
A Lithuanian thug laughed and saluted as he walked free from court on Tuesday after receiving only a suspended prison sentence for threatening to throw two men off a railway bridge unless they gave him money.
Arnoldas Pumputis, 23, could have been jailed for three years after he admitted assault with attempt to rob.
Hull Crown Court heard how he and an accomplice threatened two men in the city late at night last July.
Pumputis, who is 6ft 4in and was bare-chested and drunk, demanded £20 (about R260) after the pair attacked the men.
He told them: ‘If there isn’t £20 by the time I have finished this cigarette I am going to throw you over the bridge. I am going to get deported anyway, so I don’t care what I do.’
The victims managed to flee. Pumputis and his accomplice were arrested but only the Lithuanian was charged.
The judge made no recommendation for deportation. As Lithuania is an EU member, Pumputis has the right to remain in the UK.