Arabic version: الحكم على هارب من محكمة بيرني بالسجن 14 شهراً

According to ABC News, Stephen Keith Edwards, 29, has been sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment after fleeing police custody at the Burnie Magistrates Court. The sentence was backdated to November 7, 2025, accounting for time already served.

Edwards appeared by video link on Tuesday after pleading guilty to escape, two counts of assaulting police and other offences. He was also sentenced over unrelated matters including stealing, burglary, common assault, resisting police, breaching bail conditions and possessing drug paraphernalia.

The court heard Edwards had been taken into custody on December 6 and brought to Burnie courthouse for an after-hours session. After being remanded, he asked to kiss his partner goodbye but was refused. Magistrate Jackie Hartnett described the refusal as “entirely appropriate”.

Edwards then pushed open the dock door, ran past two officers and headed for the exit. CCTV showed him running through the foyer, while police chased him. Prosecutor Sam Reid said he damaged a sliding glass door while attempting to leave before officers caught him.

Body-camera footage showed officers and court security guards struggling with Edwards as they tried to restrain and handcuff him. The prosecution said he struck both officers in the face and pushed a security guard. Magistrate Hartnett said the footage showed a “significant struggle” and described assaults on police as “particularly serious”, though the officers had no long-lasting physical injuries.

Defence lawyer Lizzie Arnold said Edwards had wanted to say goodbye to his partner and panicked. After sentencing, his partner called out, “I love you”, and Edwards replied by video link: “I love you darl, so sorry.”