A SUSPECT, who had been arrested following a robbery, escaped from a police car in Bradford and then lived undetected at his home for five months, a court heard.

Thomas Stainsby, 27, wriggled out of his handcuffs and got out of the vehicle’s driver’s door head first to flee, Bradford Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Andrew Horton said a police constable and a PCSO came upon three men in the street, and a vehicle which was suspected to be the proceeds of a robbery a short while earlier.

The men fled but Stainsby was arrested and handcuffed over a pair of gloves he was wearing.

He was put in the back of the police vehicle.

The PCSO remained in the front, while the PC went away from the vehicle to speak on his radio.

Mr Horton said the defendant placed his hands between the front seats.

The PCSO grabbed the handcuffs and tried to push Stainsby back, but the defendant got his legs over the front seat and pushed the officer away.

Stainsby managed to wriggle free of the handcuffs and gloves, fell out of the car and ran off.

The PCSO suffered a cut thumb in the struggle.

The incident happened on October 17 last year, in Park Cliffe Road, Undercliffe, Bradford.

Police arrested Stainsby in March.

Mr Horton said the defendant was found with a small amount of cannabis and fined.

Police are still investigating an allegation of dangerous driving four days after Stainsby’s escape.

Stainsby, of Ribbleton Grove, Pollard Park, Bradford, pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody.

His barrister, Sophie Drake, said he had panicked. He had been at home for the full five months and continued to see his psychiatric nurse every week while at large.

Miss Drake said her client had significant mental health problems arising from him witnessing the tragic death of a friend.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said there had perhaps been “a slightly desultory approach to seeking him.”

The judge said the offence had been opportunistic with a low level of violence. He added: “This isn’t a struggle with dock officers and security guards, as we have seen, where injuries are always likely.”

Stainsby was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for a year.

His punishment also includes a a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.