Man who fled court during sentencing has jail term extended

Andrew Pattie was recaptured shortly after fleeing the court

A violent offender who escaped from court after being told he was about to be jailed has had his sentence extended by a further 16 months.

Andrew Pattie fled from the dock at Dundee Sheriff Court as he was being told he was to be sent to jail for 32 months over a series of attacks on prison officers.

The 32-year-old pushed past court staff and ran through a set of double doors into Bell Street before being caught by officers after attempting to hide under a nearby shipping container.

He appeared via video link to have his sentence reimposed and extended to four years for contempt of court.

One court staffer was left holding Pattie’s coat as he burst free from the dock on 2 September.

Police initially lost sight of him, but quickly found him under the works container near Abertay University.

Pattie engaged in a 20-minute standoff with officers in heavy rain before eventually giving himself up.

He was seen to be drenched and shivering as he was led into the back of a police van.

Pattie was convicted for violent attacks on prison officers

His lawyer, David Duncan, said Pattie had been warned he would be jailed for the prison attacks, but had convinced himself he might be given a community sentence.

"When it was clear that was not going to transpire for him, he accepts he had an instinctive fight or flight reaction and the behaviour we are all aware of followed thereafter,” he told the court.

"He is able to see, understand and accept the folly of his behaviour and is now in a position of contrition. He acknowledges his behaviour was wrong and he apologises to the court and anyone else involved or affected by his conduct."

Violent attacks

The court was initially told Pattie had carried out a series of attacks on prison officers which left one scarred for life and forced to retire from work on medical grounds.

One of the men suffered a broken nose and a large cut to the bridge which required four stitches following a row over an identity card needed for an exercise session.

Mr Duncan said Pattie, who has a list of previous convictions, was struggling with a “significant bereavement” at the time as his partner had died.

He previously admitted assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement, assault to injury and threatening or abusive behaviour.

Finding him in contempt, Sheriff Paul Brown told him: "I find you in contempt for escaping from the dock. You surveyed your surroundings before acting as you did. You tied up resources.

"You disrupted the business of a busy solemn court and there was the potential for far greater harm. That is a serious matter."