A RAPIST who escaped court and went on the run was jailed in his absence following a 'seedy' group sex attack on a teenage girl.

Bradley Tout jumped the dock and ran out of Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday after he was convicted of rape by a jury.

The 20-year-old of Durham Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, was jailed for seven and a half years yesterday.

Kulin Odedra, 28, of Canterbury Road, Ronkswood, was jailed for 11 and a half years for two rapes, one assault by penetration and one attempted rape.

As the sentence for Odedra was announced his mother began wailing from the public gallery and collapsed in the arms of the her daughter.

Odedra raped the 16-year-old in Tout's car after he parked it behind a skip in the car park of County Hall in Worcester on December 27, 2016. Tout then drove to another remote location near Warndon Villages, Worcester where Tout and Odedra carried out further rapes.

A third man, Kaasim Multani, was acquitted of a single charge of paying for sexual services. Mr Multani had been dropped off at home by Tout before the later rapes took place at the second, secluded location. A dock officer was injured after falling over in pursuit of Tout so security was beefed up for the sentencing hearing. Two officers stood in the dock and one just outside.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright, sentencing, said Tout and Odedra had targeted the girl to use for sexual purposes.

He said: "Bradley Tout knew she was 16. You, Kulin Odedra, did not care what age she was.

"You and Bradley Tout regarded sex as a commodity to be obtained for your pleasure regardless of the impact upon the woman or women that you ended up coming into sexual contact with.

"You regarded women generally as 'slags' - your word - to be used and discarded." The judge also quoted another phrase Odedra had used - 'does anybody else want to hit it?' - a reference to sex with the girl.

The judge said Odedra had planned to take her to his Worcester shop for sex. Odedra ran a shop in Worcester and it is understood his mother will no longer be able to carry on the business or keep up with the mortgage.

The judge added: "It's clear you regarded her as nothing more than an object. Her feelings did not come into it. As far as Bradley Tout is concerned, he is someone who was plainly prepared to lie and manipulate this young girl before and after December 27."

He said it was Odedra who had given the girl Jack Daniels whiskey and handed her a spliff. The girl, described as 'outnumbered and vulnerable', was taken to a secluded spot and pressure was applied for her to have sex with them which she had not wanted to do.

The judge told Odedra: "You just wore her down. Her evidence is that you simply would not take no for an answer. When she was pushing you away you took no notice.

"In the position she was deliberately placed in, she was in no position to give consent. On the jury's finding, she did not."

The judge made an indefinite sexual harm prevention order which prohibits either man having any contact with the girl. As sex offenders, notification and registration provisions will last the remainder of their lives. A West Mercia Police spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that Tout was still on the run.

GEOAmey, which handles security at the court, confirmed that a custody officer was taken to hospital after they fell over while chasing Tout. West Mercia Police are searching for the offender and a full investigation will be carried out.

He is described as being white, 5 foot 8 inches tall, with short mousey brown hair. He was wearing a white top and dark trousers during his escape.

Anyone who sees Tout or knows of his whereabouts should immediately call 999 quoting incident 474s of October 3.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.