Man goes on run after found hiding in grandad’s greenhouse by police

A DERBYSHIRE man went on the run from police for 25 hours after they arrested him in the garden of his grandparent’s home.

Derby Crown Court heard Billy Pearson “used his considerable strength” to barge his way past officers who found him hiding in a greenhouse. They had gone to find him about an unrelated matter, but he “refused to come quietly”.

The 25-year-old left one of the officers with an injury to her hand.

Judge Robert Egbuna handed him an 18-month community order, with 35 rehabilitation sessions with the probation service. He said: “If you don’t comply with this order or breach this order you will appear back in front of me and you will be going to prison, do you understand?”

Pearson, of Birchwood Crescent, Birdholme, replied: “Yes sir.” Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said two police officers went to Pearson’s grandparent’s address looking for him on January 18.

He said: “They made their way into the kitchen and saw movement by the back door. It was the defendant making his way down the garden. He hid in a greenhouse and was instructed to come out, but was refusing to comply.

“He tried to push past them both shouting and swearing using his full bodyweight to get past them. Matters were not helped by his grandfather, who was outside saying the defendant had done nothing wrong.”

Mr James-Moore said one of the officers told Pearson he was under arrest for obstructing police but the defendant “did not come quietly”, fled and was not arrested until some 25 hours later.

Mr James-Moore said one of the officers suffered an injury to her left hand during the struggle.

Pearson pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and unlawful escape. He has limited previous convictions and nothing since 2017.

Paul Wright, his barrister, said his client has had his “first taste of custody” having been in prison for the past 82 days.