CCTV shows moment convicted rapist runs off while being led from court
Aaron Strachan was found and apprehended soon afterwards.
CCTV footage has been released showing the moment convicted rapist Aaron Strachan makes a run for it while being led towards a waiting prison van.
In the brief clip, the 21-year-old can be seen coming out of the Court of Session in Edinburgh, accompanied by two security officers.
Dressed in a bright red top, Strachan is handcuffed to an officer walking ahead of him while the other walks closely behind him.
Another guard can be seen in the cab of the van, which is parked with its doors open just metres from the entrance to the court building.
As the group approaches the van, Strachan can be seen yanking his hand free from the cuffs and sprinting away.
As the guards run after him, the one leading the chase can be seen losing his balance and stumbling, giving Strachan precious seconds to get away.
He ran in the direction of the Royal Mile before “disappearing from view”.
A major police search was launched involving traffic police, armed officers and others, and Strachan was traced and apprehended soon afterwards.
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, Strachan’s lawyer Simon Collins said the escape attempt had been “a moment of impulsiveness”, after he noticed the cuffs were “not tight enough to prevent him from removing his hand”.