Security guard charged with murder bungles attempt to escape custody

BALIK PULAU: Freedom was short lived for a former security guard charged with murdering a 17-year-old schoolgirl after he was apprehended minutes after he slipped free from the court house here.
Tarmizi Yaacob, 20, was seated in the dock while waiting for his case to be brought up when Sessions Court Judge Helmi Ghani called for a recess during the 9.35am incident.
He somehow managed to free himself even though he was handcuffed to another detainee and ran down the staircase to the lock-up area which is connected to the dock.
He exited the area and dashed across the road to a residential area opposite the court complex.
Closely in pursuit were court officials and police who found him hiding near a terrace house a few minutes after he made his bid for freedom.
He was then brought back to the courtroom where he is accused of committing the offence on Oct 25, 2015, between 7.30am and 7.30pm at the Bandar Baru Perda Flats in Teluk Kumbar near here.
He also faces the charge of raping the victim at the same date, time and place.
Tarmizi is also facing another charge of raping a 21-year-old clerk at a home in Teluk Kumbar between 4.30am and 5.30am on Oct 8, 2015.
Defence counsel Sukhindarpal Singh told reporters the murder and rape case has been transferred to the Penang High Court for trial.
He said the case where the clerk was allegedly rape has been fixed for mention at the Sessions Court here on June 16.
When contacted, Southwest District deputy police chief DSP Siti Nor Salawati Saad confirmed the incident.
She said the case will be investigated for escape from confinement and resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension under the Penal Code.