A manhunt is under way in Darwin for a 44-year-old man after he allegedly scaled an enclosed courthouse dock and escaped from custody today.
Northern Territory Police said Brandt Graham absconded from security guards at the Darwin Local Court at 9:50am.
An image of Brandt Graham released by NT Police. (Supplied: NT Police)
CCTV footage obtained by the ABC captures the moment Mr Graham ran from the court.
It shows Mr Graham dashing out of the courthouse entrance and sprinting down Cavanagh Street in the CBD, with security guards running after him.
In a statement, police said Mr Graham was last seen walking into Tomaris Court in Marrara, though they noted he may have been sighted at Doctors Gully in Larrakeyah around 10:40am.
Police said Mr Graham had been “under the custody of G4S” — a private security firm contracted by the NT government to manage prisoner transfers — when he escaped.
Police are searching the streets of Darwin for Brandt Graham after his escape from custody this morning. (ABC News: Dane Hirst)
Police appeal for witnesses
NT court listings reveal that Mr Graham was facing the Darwin Local Court today on drugs and weapons charges.
Eyewitnesses told the ABC they saw him allegedly scale a perspex-enclosed court dock when he appeared before court this morning.
One witness, who did not wish to be named, said she had been in line to collect her belongings from the court’s security scanners when Mr Graham allegedly rushed past her and almost bowled her over.
The woman, who is pregnant and had two young children with her, told the ABC the experience had left her feeling confused and frightened.
Brandt Graham was in court for charges related to drugs and weapons. (Source: Facebook)
NT Police are appealing to the public to help them find Mr Graham and return him to custody.
They described him as Caucasian in appearance and approximately 185 centimetres tall with a medium build, long brown hair and a short beard.
He also has a tattoo on his left wrist and was last seen wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt.
Police are asking anyone who has seen Mr Graham to call Triple-Zero (000), but to not approach him.
