An auto mechanic, who attempted to flee in handcuffs from police custody, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment in hard labour by a Kumasi Circuit Court.

Kwaku Boamah, 28, pleaded not guilty to the charge of escaping from lawful custody.

He was being held over defilement at the Tafo-Pankrono office of the Police Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU), but he managed to sneak out.

Police Chief Inspector Rose Essuman told the court presided over by, Mrs Rita Agyeman-Budu that it was a member of the public who raised the alarm, which thwarted the attempt to flee from lawful custody.

This happened on February 10 at about 1330 hours.

He confessed to the crime in his caution statement and said the fear of spending time in prison drove him to make the escape bid.

Meanwhile, investigation into his alleged defilement case is continuing.