A MAN who escaped from custody as he was being taken to hospital nine years ago, fled to Pakistan and started a new life, a court was told.

The state of Yaseen Ali's mental health in August 2007 meant he was unfit to plead at Bolton Crown Court to a charge of harassing a woman.

The court found he had committed the offence and an order was made for him to be detained under the Mental Health Act at Calderstones Hospital for an indefinite period.

But the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson was told that, as he was being accompanied to the hospital, Ali asked to stop of at his home to collect some possessions.

Kate Hammond, prosecuting, said that while there Ali, aged 34, gave his social worker escort the slip and immediately made his way to Manchester Airport where he boarded an aeroplane to Pakistan.

"The suspicion of the Crown and the police is that he had family assistance," said Ms Hammond.

"That seems the most likely scenario, although it is speculation."

Ali was arrested when he returned to Manchester on July 14 last year.

The court heard that he should have been taken straight to hospital, but the Home Office gave police wrong information and he was allowed bail while the Crown Prosecution Service was consulted about the legal position.

Ali's mental health has now improved and he pleaded guilty to escaping from lawful custody.

The prosecution did not pursue the original harassment charge, although a restraining order was made preventing him from contacting his victim.

Umar Shahzad, defending, said Ali, now of St Helens Road, Bolton, had feared going to hospital.

"He has expressed remorse and said that if he could change his actions he wouldn't have gone away," said Mr Shahzad.

He added that while in Pakistan, Ali has been working, has attended a rehabilitation clinic and has married.

He is hoping to find work in England and bring his wife to join him.

Sentencing him to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, Judge Clayson said he was convinced Ali had had help to escape.

He added that it is in the best interests of the public that Ali receives the help he needs in the community from the probation service.