STALKER JAILED AFTER FLEEING FROM COURT CUSTODY
A man from Gravesend who fled court after being taken into custody for harassment and stalking offenses has been sentenced to over three years in prison.William Reader escaped from Medway Magistrates’ Court following an assault on a court staff member during a remand hearing on Saturday, February 12.
He was initially detained on February 10 on multiple charges related to repeated acts of violence and threats directed at a woman and her family.
These incidents occurred between December 2021 and January 2022, during which he damaged property by throwing bricks through windows, punctured car tyres, and made numerous threats to cause harm or kill them.
On one occasion, he assaulted two female victims and a witness who attempted to intervene.
At the hearing, Reader was denied bail and was about to return to his cell when he pushed over a detention officer and stole the keys to security doors.
The 26-year-old then escaped from the court building and evaded police for two days until he was found at an address in Stockton-on-Tees and taken into custody for unlawful escape.
Earlier this week, Reader appeared at Maidstone Crown Court where he admitted guilt to stalking related to a fear of violence and to escaping lawful custody.
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage, three counts of assault, and an assault on an emergency worker.
Formerly residing on Nursey Grove in Gravesend, Reader was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and was issued restraining orders against two women.
PC Daryl Johnson from the proactive vulnerability team, who led the case, stated: 'Reader inflicted continuous abuse and threats upon his victims.
The harassment included numerous phone calls and unwanted texts, causing ongoing distress.
His actions inflicted significant fear and anxiety with lasting effects.
It is a relief that justice has been served and I hope this sentence offers some reassurance to those impacted by his reprehensible conduct.'
