Thief Flees Courthouse While Being Sentenced To Imprisonment

Escape: Hammersmith Magistrates Court

A thief, who was told he would be going to prison for smashing his way into a parked car and snatching a laptop and iPad, calmly walked out of the dock and escaped from the court building without any resistance this week.

Mark Williams, 30, of Haven Lane, Maida Vale was being sentenced at Hammersmith Magistrates Court, where District Judge Andrew Turner was about to jail him for fourteen weeks.

"Are you sending me to prison today," asked Williams, who calmly opened the door of the secure glass-panelled dock, passed three solicitors and left via the front entrance, which has a permanent security presence.

There was no custody officer in the dock or time for court staff to alert security before Williams fled via the busy Talgarth Road.

He had pleaded guilty to stealing the two items, worth £2,350, from a vehicle parked in an NCP car park, Cadogan Place, Knightsbridge.

He was identified via DNA he left on a stone he used to smash the car window.

After the escape judge Turner told Williams' lawyer: "He absented himself and has a little present waiting for him as well as whatever else he faces.

"The offence is aggravated by the previous convictions.

"I'm sure you have a way of contacting him by mobile and do send him my good wishes or something like that."