A manhunt was under way last night after a prisoner bolted from Aberdeen Sheriff Court after appearing in the dock without any handcuffs.
Police were scouring Aberdeen for fugitive Dean McKenzie, 23, who fled the courtroom at high speed yesterday afternoon, outsmarting two G4S security guards and at least one policewoman.
The security lapse comes as a number of sheriffs in the city demanded that prisoners appearing from custody do so without wearing handcuffs.
One court source said after the dramatic escape: “This has been waiting to happen for some time.”
McKenzie, of 90 Kirkhill Road, Aberdeen, appeared before Sheriff Graeme Napier around 3pm and pleaded not guilty to threatening behaviour following an incident on Friday night. He allegedly committed the offence after being granted bail on October 3 this year.
After being remanded in custody yesterday, McKenzie followed a security guard out of the dock but suddenly turned sharp left and powered up the stairs and out the courtroom door.
A female G4S security guard pursued him, shouting “stop him!” but McKenzie outran the woman and left two more security guards, from Scottish Court Service, in his wake at the main entrance.
McKenzie ran straight out of the court building, darting over Union Street and down Shiprow, vanishing from sight. Police and court staff were left stunned at the turn of events.
A full investigation is under way by the Scottish Court Service and G4S security following the security lapse. It will examine the full set of factors around McKenzie’s escape, including why sheriffs have insisted on the handcuffs ban.
A G4S spokesman said: “We can confirm that a detainee escaped custody this afternoon after an appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
“A full investigation has been initiated by G4S.”
Police said last night that significant resources were being used in the hunt for McKenzie.
A spokeswoman added: “A man absconded from custody and left the building.
“Police are currently carrying out inquiries to trace the man.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Court Service said: “We are unavailable to comment as a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident at Aberdeen Sheriff Court is under way.”