He handed himself in four days later
05:00, 15 Jan 2026
A crafty teenager who had been arrested by the police suddenly saw his big chance to escape – and quickly slipped off his handcuffs before making a run for it. Regular troublemaker Bradley Mennell complained that the handcuffs were on too tight and were causing him pain.
He asked for them to be loosened and, when they were, he used the distraction of a ringing phone to hurry off from the scene, Hull Crown Court heard. Mennell, 18, of Belmont Street, east Hull, admitted an offence of escaping from lawful custody on September 5, while under arrest for other matters, in Preston Road, east Hull. He denied assaulting a police officer during the incident.
Beth Richardson, prosecuting, said that, at 10.15pm, police arrested Mennell on suspicion of theft of a vehicle, failing to stop and insurance and driving licence matters. "He was handcuffed, cautioned and searched," said Miss Richardson.
As Mennell was being put into a police vehicle, he said that the handcuffs were too tight – and pulled one of his hands out of the handcuffs. He pushed past the police and made off. "It was an impulsive offence," said Miss Richardson.
A police officer suffered a cut and a scar on his right hand. A charge of assaulting the officer had, however, been dropped.
Mennell handed himself in to Clough Road police station, Hull, on September 9 and he was arrested. He later told police during interview that he ran off because he believed that he was being arrested for something that he had not done.
He admitted that he knew that he was under arrest and that escaping from custody was an offence. "He said that he didn't intend to harm the police constable and he didn't believe that he had done so," said Miss Richardson.
Mennell had convictions for 35 previous offences, mostly for dishonesty, but also for breaching a criminal behaviour order. He had been given a 16-month detention and training order on August 8, 2024 for violent disorder. The latest offence was committed during the supervision period of that.
Richard Butters, mitigating, said that Mennell pleaded guilty and there was a positive pre-sentence report for him, meaning that it was not necessary for him to be locked up. "I am sure that he will behave himself," said Mr Butters.
At an earlier hearing on November 19, Samantha Laws, representing Mennell, said that Mennell had been under arrest at a police car. The handcuffs were loosened but a mobile phone started ringing and the officer turned to reach for it to see who it was that was ringing.
Mennell ran off but he did not accept that the officer was injured while he was doing this. "He says that there was no injury either intentionally or recklessly," said Miss Laws.
"He says that he doesn't know how the injury was caused. He didn't cause it."
Sentence was deferred until June 1. Judge John Thackray KC said: "It will be a suspended sentence if he keeps out of trouble and looks for work or training. The main thing is that he keeps out if trouble."
Judge Thackray told Mennell: "This is your last chance." Mennell repied: "Nice one. Thank you for that."