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Manhunt for rapist Bradley Tout after court escape | Manhunt for rapist Bradley Tout after court escape |
(35 minutes 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. | 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. |