A YOUTH tried to escape from Sittingbourne magistrates' court on Tuesday morning after being sentenced to a detention and training order.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, tried to get away but was stopped outside the the courtroom door by prison officers who had been called to take him into custody.

Security staff at the court in Park Road also helped to prevent the youth escaping after he was sentenced for a serious public order offence.

A court spokesman said: “All the officers of the court acted swiftly and professionally when detaining the youth. There was not at at any time a danger to any other court users.”