Sheffield man who escaped from police avoids return to prison

Reuben Hilson became “agitated and hostile” when officers arrived at his ex-partner’s Park Hill address, at 9pm, on March 16, following reports of a domestic incident.

When he was told he was being arrested on suspicion of assault, he shoved a female officer and broke free, shaking them off as they tried to grab him again.

Hilson ran through a door and got away, even though the officers used their PARVA sprays to incapacitate him, prosecutor Ian Goldsack told Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was arrested three days later and claimed he was in a "very emotional state at the time" and was "simply trying to get away.”

The court heard he received a 45 month prison sentence for robbery and drug possession in February 2018.

He was released from prison in April last year, and was on licence at the time.

Andrew Smith, mitigating, said: "The defendant is not proud to be back here. He didn't feel there was a need for police to be called and said they perceived his frustration for aggression. He panicked and fled.

"In the cold light of day this was not the way to deal with things, but to patiently explain what the real situation was. He pushed an officer. There was no real harm caused.”

Hilson is engaging well with the probation service and had found a job which ended during the pandemic, the court heard, but was now working with his father on a window cleaning round.

“He has shown genuine resolve in addressing the issues three years ago for what was a very serious offence,” Mr Smith said.

Hilson, 28, of Walkley Street, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to unlawful escape, on August 18. Two other assault charges were denied and will lie on file.

Judge Sarah Wright told him: "Those who escape from lawful custody can expect to go to prison. What you did was totally unacceptable, whatever your views."

But she ruled his sentence could be suspended because of the mitigating factors.

Hilson received four months, suspended for 12 months, with 20 rehabilitation days.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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