Accused Throws Court Into Laughter . . . As He Escapes From The Dock

Drama unfolded at a Magistrate Court in Ho, when an accused person facing trial, suddenly jumped out of the witness box and took to his heels to escape jail.

The incident, which occurred on Fri­day, stunned some of the audience at the court, but others burst into laughter.

The accused person, Selassie Gbee, appeared before the court on charges of stealing, causing unlawful damage and assault on public officer.

He was, therefore, remanded into prison custody to re-appear today and

In the process of being handcuffed by the police, the accused took to his heels in the presence of the judge.

He quickly run out of the court located near the Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRCC), but was given a hot chase by the police and other passersby.

The suspect dashed through the Ho Municipal Hospital roads towards the Electoral Com­mission road, where he was captured near the Electoral Commission (EC) office and sent back to court.

The judge immediately ordered for him to be charged with escaping from lawful custody.

The prosecutor told the court, presided over by Franklin Titus Glover, that on May 25, 2016, a com­plaint was lodged at the Ho Municipal Police Station, against the accused person for allegedly stealing a motor bicycle.

Investigations commenced immediate­ly and upon a tip-off, the police gathered that the accused, who originally lives at Ho-Hliha, was hiding at Mile 48, near the Ho-Kpetoe Highway.

On July 22, 2016, the Police moved in to arrest Selassie, known to the Police as Emmanuel and Courage Banaitsi in other cases.

The suspect struggled with the two police men who had gone to arrest him.

He reportedly bit one of them in the back and damaged the mobile phone of the other.

Fortunately, the Police overpowered him and took him into custody.

After investigations, Selasie, who was identified by the Police for stealing motor bikes in Ho and its environs, was charged with steal­ing, causing unlawful damage and assault on public officer.