A prisoner gave police the slip and ran off when he was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital for treatment.

Derby Crown Court was told how officers arrested Andrzej Chmurzynski after police were called to an incident on August 22.

When they arrived the 31-year-old wasn’t there so police dogs were called to comb the area.

That search was unsuccessful but, on returning to the property, Chmurzynski was found there bleeding from deep cuts to his fingers.

He was taken to hospital in Derby where his handcuffs were removed and bandages applied to his wounds.

But he then fled from the hospital, was chased by the police and went on the run for more than a month.

Now he faces a wait to see if he will be jailed or not after his sentencing hearing was adjourned.

Judge Nirmal Shant QC, Honorary Recorder of Derby, said: “Do not think the fact I am handing you bail is any indication I am considering anything other than a custodial sentence.

“People who escape from custody should expect custody.”

Brian Outhwaite, prosecuting, said officers were called to an address in Shirebrook after reports of a domestic incident taking place there where a window had been smashed.

He said police dogs searched the area but could not locate Chmurzynski.

However, when they returned he was there and stood on the landing bleeding from his fingers.

Mr Outhwaite said: “He was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital in handcuffs where nurses in the accident and emergency department asked for them to be removed so they could treat the cuts.

“The police did that, he was x-rayed, treated and they were waiting outside the room in a corridor for him.

“But he came out of the room with his hand in bandages and ran for the exit followed by the pursuing officers who were unable to catch him.”

Mr Outhwaite said Chmurzynski went to ground until September 26, when officers found him at his home address in Recreation Drive, Shirebrook.

They arrested him and charged him with escaping from lawful custody, which he pleaded guilty to.

The hearing was told he has already been dealt with for the criminal damage charge but he faces a trial at magistrates’ court for an unrelated matter.

Judge Shant adjourned his sentencing hearing until the outcome of that.

Denny Lau, for Chmurzynski, said his client had come to England with his mother from their home country of Poland in 2008.

He said: “He is the sole carer for her, she is aged 52 and is currently being treated for cancer.

“He takes her to hospital appointments, where he is able to help translate for her due to language difficulties.”

Chmurzynski is next due at Derby Crown Court for sentencing on April 14.

He was handed conditional bail not to contact an alleged victim, not to go to a particular street in Shirebrook and to live and sleep each night at his home address.