A Gravesend man who fled court after he was arrested for harassment and stalking offences, has been jailed for more than three years.

William Reader fled Medway Magistrates’ Court after assaulting a member of court staff, during a remand hearing on Saturday February 12.

Reader had initially been arrested on February 10 and was at court facing multiple charges, following allegations of repeated violence and threats towards a woman and her family.

These offences took place between December 2021 and January 2022, during which time he threw bricks through windows, slashed car tyres and made repeated threats to harm and kill them.

In one incident he punched two of the female victims, as well as a witness who tried to intervene.

During the court hearing Reader was refused bail and was about to be taken back to his cell, when he pushed over a court detention officer and stole keys to the security doors.

The 26-year-old then escaped the building and managed to evade police for two days, before he was located at an address in Stockton-on-Tees and arrested for escaping lawful custody.

Reader appeared before Maidstone Crown Court earlier this week where he pleaded guilty to charges of stalking involving fear of violence and escaping from lawful custody.

He also admitted three counts of criminal damage, three counts of assault, and a charge of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Reader, previously of Nursey Grove, Gravesend, was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment and also made subject of restraining orders against two women.

PC Daryl Johnson from the proactive vulnerability team, who led the investigation said: "Reader subjected his victims to repeated and sustained abuse and threats. He made countless phone calls and unwanted texts and the harassment was relentless.

"His actions have caused a huge amount of distress, fear and anxiety and have had a deep and lasting impact. Thankfully, justice has now caught up with him and I at least hope that this sentence will give those affected by his appalling behaviour some peace of mind."