A rape suspect who remains on the loose managed to abscond from custody after breaking out of handcuffs that had not been properly tightened, Times of Malta has learnt.

Sources said after freeing himself, Guinean Seykou Ballde made his way to the first floor of the St Julian’s police station, where he was being detained, and jumped into a field at the same level at the back of the building.

The 32-year-old had been arrested when officers of the Rapid Intervention Unit heard a woman scream in St George’s Road, St Julian’s, at 3.15am on Monday.

The suspect resisted arrest and tried to run away but was restrained. The woman was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment.

However, that evening, the man managed to escape by slipping out of his loose handcuffs and last night he was still on the run, sources said.

This was the second escape from the St Julian’s police station in recent weeks. Last October, a Dutchman who was also arrested in connection with allegations of rape ran away but was caught a few minutes later.

While acknowledging that the police were to blame for this “embarrassing mistake”, sources said this incident also highlighted the urgent need for better facilities at the St Julian’s police station.

Describing the present facilities as “primitive”, the same source said this was also giving rise to “comical” incidents at the police station, located in a district that includes the notorious Paceville troublespot.

“The only cell available, measuring two metres by five, is not fit for purpose as there have been various suicide attempts by suspects who were being held in custody,” he said.

‘They cannot sit down for duration of arrest’

“At present the first two people arrested have the ‘privilege’ of being able to sit down on an iron bench to which they are handcuffed.

“However, in case of further arrests, suspects have to be handcuffed to the railing of the stairs and cannot sit down for the entire duration of their arrest.”

He added that on various occasions, especially at night, suspects can be observed dragging the iron bench from one place to another inside the police station, prompting laughter by all those present.

The same source questioned the procedure in place whereby every police officer on duty has a pair of handcuffs, for which they are solely responsible.

“This means that if somebody is still in custody by the time there is a change in shift, the handcuffs have to be replaced with those of the policemen coming in,” he said.

This procedure was flawed and could be exploited by anyone trying to abscond, he said.

Any information which could lead to Mr Ballde’s whereabouts should be communicated to the police on 2122 4001 or 119.