Maidstone Magistrates' Court went into lockdown this afternoon after a violent criminal disappeared by 'sheepishly' strolling out of the front door.

Daniel McAvoy, 42, also known as Daniel Murray, appeared at the Palace Avenue building today charged with beating up his girlfriend.

But after security guards burst into court and asked if anyone had seen him, the building went into temporary lockdown and no-one was allowed to leave.

Mcavoy, the stepson of an armed robber, walked out of the front door and turned right towards Gabriel's Hill prompting a full-scale search.

KM reporter Annabel Rusbridge-Thomas was in court this afternoon when the drama unfolded.

She said: "I had seen the defendant and he left court and was handcuffed to prison guards when he was taken downstairs.

"The next thing we knew the GEOAmey guards swung the court door open in the middle of a later case and said loudly: 'Have you seen him?'

"Everyone went 'who?' There was some commotion then someone suggested the magistrates retire.

"Out in the waiting room there were people milling around and I heard someone say he had walked into another courtroom.

"Someone else reported they saw him sheepishly walk around, before heading out of the front door."

Harry Smith who was in the waiting room added: "He should have been handcuffed so obviously someone hasn't done their job properly."

McAvoy is described wearing a red jumper and dark trousers and has a shaved head. The Mall shopping centre and staff at Maidstone East station have been asked to keep a look-out. He is not believed to be carrying any cash.

Police have been called and are searching along with court security staff.

British Transport Police officers have also been alerted to the incident and patrols were stepped up at railway stations around the town.

McAvoy, who has known links to Ashford, Swale and Dartford, had appeared in court room 2 today on charges of assault, beating and obstructing a police officer. It relates to an incident where he pushed his girlfriend's head into a bar, leaving her bloodied. He admitted the charges.

He was given a 90 day sentence to run concurrently alongside an existing four-and-a-half year one.

McAvoy last appeared at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex in August. He faced eight charges of burglary and one of fraud.

He was also sentenced for theft and burglary in 2011.

During a trial at Canterbury Crown Court he also admitted another 14 offences - including using a credit card from a wallet he found on the street buying £2,000 of items.

He told officers he didn't hand the wallet in "because I am not a good man."

Police officers are showing a picture of the convicted criminal to members of the public in a bid to find him.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to Maidstone Magistrates' Court at 11.50am. It is reported that Daniel Paul Murray, who is 42 and has connections to Swale, Ashford and Dartford, allegedly absconded from the court where he appeared earlier today.

"Officers are currently searching for Murray, who also uses the name Daniel McAvoy, and enquiries are on-going.

"He had appeared in connection with a domestic abuse incident. He is not believed to be a risk to the public."

KentOnline has approached GEOAmey for comment.

If anyone sees McAvoy they are advised not to approach him and to call 999 quoting reference 22*510.

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