‘Intelligent’ former student from Lincoln who escaped from police given last chance to stay drug free and behave

A former university student who escaped from police custody as they tried to arrest him was given a last chance to prove he can stay free of drugs.

Jude Sheehan, 26, ran away from two officers after they attended at his house in Cannon Street, Lincoln, on May 11.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Sheehan was reported as wanted after he was twice spotted stealing meat from a Tesco store in Lincoln High Street to feed his drug addiction.

During the first incident on May 1, Sheehan was seen leaving the store after taking chicken from a fridge.

Sheehan returned five days later on May 6 and was again seen putting meat into a basket and then leaving without payment.

The court heard Sheehan was banned from entering all shops in Lincoln city centre as part of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Sheehan was arrested by two officers who attended at his Cannon Street home on May 11.

When the officers explained why they were in attendance Sheehan replied: "Yes, I know."

But as Sheehan was escorted out of the property he ran off in a gap between the two officers.

The court was told Sheehan ran off in the direction of Waterside North and was caught after being pursued for ten minutes.

Sheehan was taken to Lincoln Police Station and later admitted two charges of shop theft, one charge of escaping from lawful custody and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Edna Leonard, mitigating, said a drugs addiction was at the heart of Sheehan's offending and told the court "he was not without hope."

"He is an intelligent young man who completed his first year at university studying psychology," Miss Leonard told the court.

"I have asked him how this started. His father was diagnosed with cancer and his best friend was stabbed on the streets of Lincoln.

"His mental health spiralled."

Miss Leonard added: "With regard to the escape it was foolish but he panicked because he feared he would be without his methadone.

"His mother attends court. She is willing to let him come home as his resolve is high and she will test him herself."

The court heard Sheehan had stayed out of trouble until the age of 25 and hoped to return to university.

Judge James House KC agreed to defer sentence on Sheehan for three months.

"I want you to make your mother proud and yourself proud," Judge House told Sheehan.

"You will get a chance, but will only be one chance.

"If you as much go into a shop and steal a Kinder egg in the next three months then you will have failed."

Sheehan was granted bail until September 9 when he will be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court.