A man in court on a burglary charge jumped out of the dock and ran out of the building 'covered in blood' in a desperate bid for freedom, police say.

Jack Tyler may have even broken his ankle as he fled Hove Crown Court on Wednesday.

Police rushed to the court and launched a major search and have now appealed for help from the public to track him down,

Tyler had been on a wanted list issued by Sussex Police last month but was arrested and put before the court on Wednesday, but managed to successfully escape.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "We are searching for wanted man Jack Tyler in Hove.

"Tyler, aged 28 years, was last seen at Hove Crown Court today (Wed) and officers are urgently looking for him as he is believed to have suffered a serious ankle injury that requires medical attention.

"Tyler was arrested by police in August following an appeal for information on his whereabouts.

"He was charged with burglary and affray and remanded in custody to appear before Hove Crown Court today. However during the hearing, Tyler escaped from court custody and fled from the courtroom.

"Police were called to attend and officers are carrying out extensive searches in the vicinity.

"He is described as 5ft 4ins tall, of stocky build with dark, shaved hair. He was wearing a dark zipped-up jumper, dark jogging bottoms and one blue and white trainer. He is known to have links to the Hastings area.

"Anyone who sees him or has any information as to his whereabouts is asked to dial 999."