Court clears escape charge against man who bolted from police escort outside Valletta law courts

A man who fled from police escort outside the Valletta law courts in Malta after being denied bail on rape and kidnap charges has been cleared of the escape charge. The court ruled he was not legally a 'prisoner' at the time of his flight, but found him guilty of disobeying lawful police orders. Police had apprehended the man after a search following his initial escape.