A 19-year-old who escaped police custody told Magistrates' Court he ran away after he was “mistreated” by officers.

Jahmeiko Perkins, of School's Drive, in Devonshire, admitted to escaping from lawful custody on Wednesday afternoon.

He denied obstructing an officer who searched him under the misuse of drugs act and to assaulting another officer while in execution of his duty.

The court heard the defendant was in police custody for an unrelated matter when he was searched by police.

Officers found four paper twists, containing a white, rock like substance, in his possession and confiscated the twists.

Perkins grabbed the items back, allegedly pushing the officer in the chest and causing him to lose balance, said Prosecutor Robert Welling.

Perkins fled the police station with the bag containing the paper twists. Officers later found him trying to jump over a wall on Joells Alley in Pembroke, however the rock like substance was never retrieved.

A Police spokesman said: “It appears that around 1.30 pm on Wednesday, a 19-year-old Devonshire man was being processed at Hamilton Police Station when the teenager allegedly assaulted a police officer and fled the premises on foot.

“The Devonshire man was quickly located by police and taken back into custody. The police officer was not injured.”

Perkins told the court yesterday that he was denied water to drink and a proper bathroom break.

He said: “My reason for running (on Wednesday) I was at that police station for a long period of time. I was being mistreated and I had asked to use the bathroom.”

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner questioned Perkins' statement and said: “So because he wanted to pee and drink water he snatched the drugs and ran?

“I sit here and listen to reasons but I do not have to accept every foolishness people tell me.”

The Magistrate also reminded Perkins that police custody was not supposed to be like a hotel.

“You are not some 16-year-old boy that has never been in a police station. I am not saying anyone should be treated badly.(But) the police station is not a hotel.”

Mr Warner adjourned the case until December 9 for trial sentencing. Perkins was remanded in custody until then.