A convicted criminal leapt out of a crown court dock and ran, after a judge told him he was going to jail today.

On January 19 Martin Sama found himself in a high speed police chase before ditching his car and running down an alleyway.

He was caught by courageous police dog Caesar, a Dutch Shepherd. Sama punched the police dog as he fell to the floor. 

Following his conviction on March 17, Sama was sentenced to 27 months in prison by Judge Angela Morris at 2pm today.

On hearing the sentence however, Sama climbed over the glass-walled dock, barged his way out of the court room as a barrister confronted him and ran out onto the street.

An eyewitness said: "Suddenly out of nowhere he launched his body over the top of the glass of the dock.

"People thought he had had a medical emergency.

"He sprinted out of the court room and the prosecuting lawyer Paul Fairley tried to stop him, but Sama was running too quickly."

Sama made his way down two flights of stairs and past security guarding the court's front door.

He was caught around 30 minutes later near Argos. 

The judge has said she will deal with the sentencing in seven days time. 

Sama, of Lorne Street, Reading, was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, assaulting a constable, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, possessing cannabis, driving dangerously and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Read the story of Sama's conviction here

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