bolted from Magistrates' Court to avoid an order that he be remanded in custody.

Troy Eastmond, of Derwent Lane, Devonshire, was bailed for $1,000 last February and ordered to reappear in court on Wednesday to face charges of offensive behaviour and obstructing a narcotics officer.

A warrant was ordered for Eastmond's arrest after he failed to turn up at the scheduled time of his hearing.

Despite Eastmond's protests that he did attend court but was five minutes late, Magistrate the Wor. John Judge ordered that his bail be forfeited and he be remanded in custody until the court's afternoon session at 2.15 p.m.

Eastmond walked swiftly out of the courtroom and bolted from the Parliament Street building, followed soon after by Police.

He returned to court at 2.15 p.m. where he was apprehended by Police.