A South African murderer on crutches ran for his freedom from Johannesburg's High Court just after being sentenced to life imprisonment for murder

BBC News:

Sandile "Shorty" Buthelezi was not shackled in court because he had spent two years on crutches in a remand jail where warders believed he was disabled.

But just as he hobbled from the court towards the holding cells, he cast aside his crutches and fled.

National papers said guards and court officials were amazed at the "miracle".

After running into a car park, Shorty scaled a wall before vanishing into the crowd.

In an attempt to prevent a number of escapes from court, South Africa's Department of Correctional Services decided in 2003 that remanded prisoners should be in leg-irons when appearing in court.

Throughout the trial he had been coming to court on crutches.

The 20-year-old and three accomplices were convicted of murder and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition after shooting dead a friend in November 2003 while visiting him at a hostel.

Shorty's 'miracle' dash for freedom