Wanted Leeds dealer called police after father died at home, and was arrested at the scene
Mourning fugitive fell down a flight of stairs as he made his escape from officers
A wanted drug dealer who phoned the police to say his father had died at home was then arrested when officers arrived.
Aaron Anson refused to be taken in and fled the scene, Leeds Crown Court was told.
He was jailed this week after after admitting escaping lawful custody, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of cannabis.
The court heard that police had been called to his Belinda Street home, Hunslet, on March 13 after he contacted the authorities to say his father had passed away.
After arriving, officers realised he was wanted on recall and quietly called for back up without alerting Anson.
But when he went to grab an alcoholic drink, the decision was made to arrest him.
The 35-year-old began to cry and then made a bolt for the door. As officers tried to stop him, he squeezed through and lashed out at the officers who tried to grab him.
He ran down the stairs and fell, tumbling to the bottom, but he was able to get to his feet and flee.
Two days later, officers raided a room at the Clayton Hotel near the city centre and found three men inside, including Anson.
He had a small amount of cannabis on him and more than £730 in cash.
During his police interview he refused to answer questions, but said he escaped because he did not want to go to his dad’s funeral in handcuffs.
He has 21 previous convictions for 39 offences, including eight for drugs. He was last jailed in 2024 for 40 months for dealing.
Mitigating, Nicholas Hammond said Anson’s “primary” point were his early guilty pleas.
He said it came as a “great shock” to him that he was wanted on recall, adding: “He made a foolish decision to run away from officers.
“He was only at large for two days.”
He said Anson, who appeared in court over a video link from HMP Leeds, had been using his time in jail constructively, taking courses.
He said he wants to gain employment in the catering industry once released.
The judge, Recorder Patrick Palmer jailed him for four-and-a-half years.