A remanded prisoner who pushed over a guard to flee from the Albury court prison cells is now a wanted man after failing to answer the escape charge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kyle Matthews was supposed to front Albury Local Court this week.
After giving him a couple of hours' grace in case he was running late, magistrate Rodney Brender said he had no choice but to issue an arrest warrant.
In the incident on December 24, Matthews ran outside after knocking the NSW Corrective Services officer to the ground.
IN OTHER NEWS:
But after failing to scale a perimeter wall, he was cornered by two officers and arrested by police.
Matthews, 27, was charged with assault a law officer (not a police officer), resist officer and escape or attempt to escape from lawful custody.
He was convicted in his absence.
Police said Matthews had gone before the court at 9am on charges of possess prohibited drugs and larceny.
He was bail refused and escorted back to cell No.6 in the Albury Corrective Services building.
About 10.35am he asked to make a phone call, but he was unsure of the number so wanted his personal property checked for a piece of paper with that information.
The officer returned to the cell with Matthews' bag, but the paper with the number couldn't be found.
He opened the cell door to allow Matthews access to his mobile phone to find the number, though instead began to write a text message.
The officer demanded the phone back, but Matthews refused then forced his way past the victim, who suffered scratches and abrasions during the arrest.
