This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-45744832
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Manhunt for rapist Bradley Tout after court escape | Manhunt for rapist Bradley Tout after court escape |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A rapist who leapt from the dock and ran out of court moments after being convicted is being hunted by police. | A rapist who leapt from the dock and ran out of court moments after being convicted is being hunted by police. |
| Jurors at Worcester Crown Court unanimously convicted Bradley Tout, 20, of an attack on a teenage girl, in December 2016. | |
| Upon hearing the verdict, Tout "vaulted" from the dock and was able to evade court officers during a chase. | Upon hearing the verdict, Tout "vaulted" from the dock and was able to evade court officers during a chase. |
| Security firm GeoAmey confirmed the escape and said one officer had to be taken to hospital with injuries. | Security firm GeoAmey confirmed the escape and said one officer had to be taken to hospital with injuries. |
| No police officers were at court when Tout made his escape shortly after 16:00 BST on Wednesday. | No police officers were at court when Tout made his escape shortly after 16:00 BST on Wednesday. |
| Supt Paul Moxley, of West Mercia Police, said GeoAmey court officers "did give chase" but were "unable to catch up with him". | Supt Paul Moxley, of West Mercia Police, said GeoAmey court officers "did give chase" but were "unable to catch up with him". |
| At a sentencing hearing after his escape, Tout, of Durham Road, Worcester, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in his absence. | |
| His co-defendant, Kullin Odedra, 28, from Canterbury Road, Worcester, was jailed for 11-and-a-half years for three counts of rape and one count of attempted rape. | |
| "He's committed a very serious offence and now he's committed more offences by escaping from lawful custody," said Supt Moxley. | "He's committed a very serious offence and now he's committed more offences by escaping from lawful custody," said Supt Moxley. |
| Anyone harbouring or assisting Tout "should also expect to be arrested", he said. | Anyone harbouring or assisting Tout "should also expect to be arrested", he said. |
| Police described the 20-year-old as white, 5ft 8ins, with short mousey brown hair. He was wearing a white top and dark trousers when he escaped. | Police described the 20-year-old as white, 5ft 8ins, with short mousey brown hair. He was wearing a white top and dark trousers when he escaped. |
| Supt Moxley said he did not believe Tout to be dangerous and appealed for anyone with information to contact police immediately. | Supt Moxley said he did not believe Tout to be dangerous and appealed for anyone with information to contact police immediately. |