A man who leapt out of the dock and went on the run has been given a further sentence.
Nicholas Bunclark was jailed for 16 months on Tuesday, January 3, after being convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It followed an attack at a hostel on Leyland Road in Southport on November 19, 2021.
However, soon after sentencing remarks from Judge Garrett Byrne on Tuesday, Bunclark vaulted the gate out of the unsecured dock at Liverpool Crown Court as he was being led to the cells. He left the court building and went on the run.
READ MORE: Van crashes after being chased by police down main road
The 30-year-old, of St Oswald's Lane in Netherton, then handed himself into Copy Lane Police Station in Bootle on Wednesday, January 4. Bunclark was once again back in court today and appeared at Liverpool Magistrates'.
An application for handcuffs was granted and Bunclark appeared in the dock handcuffed to a security guard for the whole hearing with another standing on the other side of him. The case was then sent to be heard at Crown Court.
Bunclark appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, still handcuffed to security guards, and pleaded guilty to escape from lawful custody. Chris Taylor, prosecuting, told the court it was understood the defendant wanted to speak to family and did so by escaping the dock and court.
He said: "Bunclark wanted to make relations with his girlfriend and daughter and in his panic ran away to make those arrangements."
Mr Taylor added that Bunclark "took advantage" of the unenclosed area. The defendant took his glasses off and left the court building through the Liverpool One exits. It was heard that at that point court staff, who were unaware were of what happened in the courtroom, did not know Bunclark was wanted at that stage.
He added there was "no violence" from the 30-year-old and he walked out the court building exit calmly. Liverpool Crown Court heard Bunclark "almost could not believe no one was following him" after he escaped the court.
After exiting the building, the dad then got a train to Southport. Nicola Daley, defending, told the court that after this, Bunclark "did not really know what to do" and went to speak to family.
On Wednesday, Bunclark handed himself into Copy Lane Police Station in Bootle where he was remanded into custody. Ms Daley said the defendant told her it was a "moment of madness" and in his previous sentencing for assault, the court heard Bunclark had "suffered both mental and physical illness in current years".
Ms Daley added the defendant apologised to court staff and the judge for his escape. He also apologised to his family "for bringing more attention on them."
Bunclark was sentenced to a further four months in prison which is to run consecutively to the 16 month sentence given to the defendant on Tuesday for assault.
In his sentencing remarks judge Byrne said: "This was a very serious offence and imprisonment is the only option to act as a deterrent." He added this was an "opportunistic and impulsive decision" and the fact Bunclark handed himself in was a "strong mitigated matter".
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Read next:
Men beaten, burned and starved after being chained to radiators
Live updates as police close road after crash
Mum who lost eight stone shares diet tips that actually work
Family 'struggling to come to terms' with loss of couple in helicopter crash
Peter Kay fans conned out of £380 for Liverpool M&S Arena tickets
