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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. | 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, West Mercia Police said. | No police officers were at court when Tout made his escape shortly after 16:00 BST on Wednesday, West Mercia Police said. |
'Never seen that before' | 'Never seen that before' |
Those present at the hearing told the BBC Tout could be seen with both hands on the 4ft-high dock shortly before he jumped over it | Those present at the hearing told the BBC Tout could be seen with both hands on the 4ft-high dock shortly before he jumped over it |
No action was taken to apprehend him in the courtroom, they said, and a communications breakdown meant staff did not know who to stop when a panic alarm was set off. | No action was taken to apprehend him in the courtroom, they said, and a communications breakdown meant staff did not know who to stop when a panic alarm was set off. |
Tout was able to run out of the courtroom before passing security officers and running through a metal detector onto the street outside. | Tout was able to run out of the courtroom before passing security officers and running through a metal detector onto the street outside. |
During an altercation outside, the court officer suffered suspected broken ribs and bruising. | During an altercation outside, the court officer suffered suspected broken ribs and bruising. |
According to those who were in the courtroom, Judge Nicholas Cartwright told jurors he had "never seen anything like that happen before". | According to those who were in the courtroom, Judge Nicholas Cartwright told jurors he had "never seen anything like that happen before". |
Supt Paul Moxley, of West Mercia Police, said a GeoAmey court officer "did give chase" to Tout but was "unable to catch up with him". | Supt Paul Moxley, of West Mercia Police, said a GeoAmey court officer "did give chase" to Tout but was "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. | 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, Kulin 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. | |
The court heard the attacks happened in Tout's car after he parked behind a skip in County Hall in December 2016. | The court heard the attacks happened in Tout's car after he parked behind a skip in County Hall in December 2016. |
Judge Cartwright said Tout was a "manipulative liar" who treated his victim "like a sexual commodity". | Judge Cartwright said Tout was a "manipulative liar" who treated his victim "like a sexual commodity". |
"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. |