Neil Hodgson leapt from the dock

Neil Hodgson, 29, leapt from the dock and made a dash for the door, escaping the clutches of two security company officers, after a jury at Durham Crown Court returned a guilty verdict following a twoday trial, yesterday.

He brushed past a startled barrister in the court room doorway and bolted from the exit, with the security officials and two police officers, who had been in the public gallery, in pursuit.

But they gave up the chase as Hodgson disappeared in the vicinity of Old Elvet.

A Durham Police spokesman said he was still at large last night, adding: “We are actively searching for him.”

The drama unfolded after Hodgson was brought back from the cells to hear the verdict in his trial.

After the jury foreman announced the unanimous verdict to the charge of burglary, Hodgson’s barrister, Don Mac- Faul, asked if background reports could be prepared prior to sentence.

Agreeing, Judge Christopher Prince said that, as Hodgson was now a “threestrikes”

burglar, there would be a mandatory three-year sentence.

He told Hodgson: “Don’t be under any illusions, three years is the minimum, and you can expect a substantially greater sentence than that.”

Hodgson announced he had been “fitted up” for something he had not done and told the jury they were, “divvies”, before making his escape.

Two dock officers present in the court were said to have suffered minor injuries in trying to detain him.

Hodgson, of The Avenue, Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, had denied the burglary charge, which dates from June 25.

He was said to have tried to “fish” for keys using a pole through the letterbox of a house in Barbery Close, Chester-le-Street, at around 4.50am.

But the female resident was disturbed and looked out to see Hodgson fleeing, although she was able to give a description which led to his arrest.

Hodgson claimed she must have been mistaken as it was not him, because he did not get up until 11.30am.