The Police Department is breathing easier tonight after cops captured 22 year David Flowers, a prisoner on remand for burglary, who simply walked out of the Magistrate's Court today. Yes, that's right, for a man who is on remand, Flowers slipped out of court and fled the area.
Here's how it happened: At 9:30 this morning, Flowers was escorted in handcuffs to the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith, along with other prisoners by the police court orderly.
His handcuffs were taken off, as is the norm when any accused is brought to court from remand to face his or her trial.
Chief Magistrate then started the morning session, and when she finished with all the adjournments, she asked the police prosecutor about Flowers' trial, and if the virtual complainant was present.
She then asked to take a brief adjournment while she prepared to start the trial. One by one, the 5 or 6 police officers, who were present, started leaving the court room to do other duties, which resulted in only 2 officers remaining behind to secure Flowers: the police prosecutor, and another officer.
The prosecutor then went into the Chief Magistrate's chambers to go speak to her, and which left only one officer behind.
That officer eventually strolled out of the court room, leaving Flowers behind with civilians and the virtual complainant.
Eventually, one of the civilians got concerned, which was reasonable - after all they were by alone with a prisoner, and no police officers to act as guards.
The civilian then stepped outside of court looking for the other police officers who usually stand guard to prevent just this sort of thing.
But, those officers weren't present either, so Dougal took advantage of the freedom and simply walked out of court, cool, calm, and acting like a free man, who just happened to be around the court.
When walking down the court steps he was heard to say, quote, "I don't have time for this. I didn't sign any disclosure." End quote
He then walked a few more yards and took off running against the flow of traffic up Regent Street. 2 hours later, he was intercepted as he got off a Ladyville bus; he was apparently attempting to go home.
This afternoon, he was brought back to court and taken before Magistrate Hettie Mae Stuart to answer to the charge of escape.
He pleaded guilty to the charge, and as a result, Magistrate Stuart sentenced him 6 months imprisonment.
He will still have to answer to trial for the burglary at a later date.
