Police are hunting for a 24-year-old prisoner who escaped custody shortly after a court appearance this morning.

Alvon Maybury was charged in Magistrates’ Court with three fireams offences - possession of a firearm in Pembroke between December 18 and 19, 2009, discharging the firearm on December 18 and possession of ammunition rounds without a licence between December 18 and 19.

Maybury, currently an inmate at Westgate Correctional Facility, was not required to enter a plea. The charges are indictable and must be heard in Supreme Court.

According to Police he escaped from custody around 10.30 a.m. while leaving court.

A search is now underway, led by officers from the Bermuda Police Service and the Department of Corrections.

He was wearing a grey sweatshirt and khaki pants when he escaped.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to telephone 295-0011.

Said a Police spokesperson: "The public is reminded that harbouring a fugitive is an offence punishable under the law."

For the full story see tomorrow's Royal Gazette.