A MAN who escaped from police and ran off while under arrest at the John Radcliffe Hospital has been jailed.

Melkyanus Dacosta appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday faced with one count of escape.

The 28-year-old of Rymers Lane, Oxford, pleaded guilty and was sentenced at that hearing.

Outlining the case prosecutors said that Dacosta was under arrest for a serious offence - which has since been dropped - on August 4 this year.

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He complained of a stomach pain and, speaking no English, he was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

It was while at the Oxford hospital that his handcuffs were removed in order to provide a urine sample.

Dacosta then ran off and fled the hospital.

A member of the public contacted police and he was caught soon after having been 'garden hopping' and also changing his clothing during the escape bid.

The court heard the original offence for which he was in custody was not being proceeded with.

Dacosta said that he ran off in order to go home and see his family because - speaking no English - he didn't understand what anybody was saying about the situation.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC ordered that Dacosta serve a four-month jail term.