Wanted man found half-naked in a wardrobe 200 miles from home escapes - after cops let him put clothes on

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A 'Jack the Lad' criminal wanted in Salford following a high-speed police chase was found hiding half-naked in his dad's wardrobe in west Wales - but managed to escaped after cops took off his hand-cuffs to let get dressed. Lawrence Goldsworthy, from Salford, fled from the house and was on the run from the authorities for nine days before before being caught back in Manchester, a court heard.

Helen Randall, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that on July 18 last year Goldsworthy was involved in a police chase through the streets of Salford, WalesOnline reports.

The court heard the defendant was at the wheel of a Seat Ibiza which raced away from officers who signalled for him to stop, going through junctions without slowing down, taking bends at speed, and driving on the wrong side of the road forcing oncoming vehicles to take evasive action. At one point he reversed onto a pavement to get away after a police car managed to get in front of him and force him to stop.

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Goldsworthy then abandoned the car and ran off - but was caught and arrested shortly after. He told officers he had been the passenger in the Seat not the driver. Goldsworthy was charged with dangerous driving and a trial date was set for August this year.

Miss Randall said on May 6 this year police went to the defendant's father's house in Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire - the defendant was prohibited from being at the address as part of his bail conditions. Officers searched the house and found the 32-year-old half-naked and hiding in a wardrobe with a small mount of cannabis.

He was arrested and cuffed but when officers subsequently removed his handcuffs to allow him to get