A MAN, aged 30, has appeared before York magistrates accused of escaping from a different court.

Russell Frankland, of no fixed address, is alleged to have slipped out of a pair of handcuffs and stolen them when he was being escorted to a prison van at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court on December 4. He was arrested on December 8.

Three dock officers stood round him in the dock at York Magistrates’ Court and a fourth stood at the door to the court when he made his first appearance on charges of escape from lawful custody and theft.

As the escape charge can only be tried at a crown court, magistrates sent him on both charges to York Crown Court where he will appear on December 30.

He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.