A man arrested following a struggle with officers managed to flee from the back of a police van and evade immediate re-capture, a court heard.

Stephen Barker appeared before Durham Crown Court on a charge of escaping from lawful custody, arising from the incident after he was detained by police, in Bishop Auckland, on Monday, June 10, this year.

The court heard that the defendant struggled to try to prevent police from arresting him, during which one of the two officers involved suffered a detached nail.

Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, said Barker was eventually subdued and handcuffed before being placed in the caged area at the back of the police van.

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

A few minutes later, with the van still in situ, the defendant began coughing and then got up, while still handcuffed, and fled from the back of the van, avoiding the officers who previously arrested him.

No details were given as to how he was eventually re-arrested, but the 31-year-old defendant, of Woodlands Road, Bishop Auckland, put in a guilty plea to the charge of escaping lawful custody.

Miss Haugstad told the court he has nine past convictions for 14 offences, but this was considered “dissimilar” to those faced previously.

The court was told other charges faced by Barker arising from the incident and the reason for his arrest, of harassment and assaults on emergency workers, were retained by the magistrates to be dealt with by the bench, having been allocated a sentencing hearing on August 1.

Judge Jo Kidd said it was, “a curious position” adopted by magistrates, adding: “It would have helped if all matters had been sent together to be dealt with at the crown court.”

She asked Barker’s representative, Dr Chris Wood: “The questions I have to ask are: ‘Was it planned?

“What level of violence was used and what injuries were suffered?

“Also, was it successful and how long was he at large?”

Dr Wood agreed with Judge Kidd that there was no suggestion of any violence being used in the moment of escape and no injuries were suffered relating to his bolt for freedom.

“It was, perhaps, further evidence of his impulsive behaviour, potentially facilitated by his alcohol use, at the time,” said Judge Kidd.

Dr Wood presented a letter to the judge which he said was “worthy of consideration”.

Having read the letter, Judge Kidd said: “I can indicate a suspended sentence order is the right way to proceed and that shouldn’t impede on any sentence being passed at the magistrates’ court, on August 1."

(Image: The Northern Echo)

She imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, during which the defendant must take part in up to 40 rehabilitation activity days, working with the Probation Service.

Judge Kidd told the defendant: “I’m giving you a chance with a suspended sentence order.

“You were committing a lot of offending in May and June, and your behaviour was out of control.

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“There were clearly issues with drink and drugs, but I can see you have been working very hard to deal with your problems with alcohol and drugs.

“So, if you commit a further offence in the next 18 months, or don’t follow the directions of the Probation Service, you’ll be in breach of this order and you’ll be back before me and at risk of going to prison.”

She added: “Continue your good work dealing with alcohol and drugs.”