A Warwick teenager narrowly escaped prison last week when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves for assaulting a Police officer and a slew of traffic offences.

John Steede, 18, of Purvis Estate, Warwick, pleaded guilty to charges he resisted arrest, assaulted a Police officer and escaped custody on September 1.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines told the court that a Police officer had approached Steede as the teen sat on a wall outside Warwick Post Office.

There were a number of warrants out for his arrest.

As the officer took Steede's wrist to handcuff him, the teen broke away and tried to run.

Following a chase that saw the two tumble over a five-foot wall and through the front window of a Bulkhead Road home, the teen was subsequently caught, though the officer sustained injuries.

Steede told the court the officer had not told him he was under arrest but admitted to the Magistrate the officer was in uniform.

Fortunately for Steede, among the charges he faced was that he had failed to show up for his Regiment medical after being called into service.

Mr. Caines told the court that Regiment offences are normally handled by the issuance of a suspended sentence with the offender offered a conditional discharge if he complies with his Regiment duties.

Mr. Caines said the offence against a Police officer was of the higher priority and recommended a jail sentence for Steede on the charge.

Steede pleaded to be sent to Regiment rather than Westgate. "I don't think jail would be the right thing for me," he said.

"Probation or a conditional discharge would be better - or doing my three years up at the Regiment."

Mr. Greaves sentenced Steede to three months in prison for the assault.

The sentence was suspended for 12 months however, and Mr. Greaves ordered Steede to check in with the Regiment immediately and continue to comply with his military duties.

"If you fail and you come down here, you're going to jail," Mr. Greaves said to Steede.