The alleged armed robber who fled custody outside the Nelson court house has been sentenced to five months in prison.
In September 34-year-old Andrew Stevenson – who was not wearing leg irons or cuffs – dropped his crutches and ran from the deputy sheriff while being led into court for a bail hearing.
He was unshackled because he claimed to be suffering from a hip injury following his initial arrest in April.
He ran off over Vernon Street and along Herridge Lane before being caught .
The crown and defence agreed that a 4 month sentence for escaping lawful custody was appropriate but the judge actually handed down the bigger five month sentence.
Stevenson is facing many more serious charges .
He and partner Krista Kalmikoff are alleged to have been involved in a series of armed robberies in our region in the first quarter of last year.