A rape suspect escaped from St Julian's police station on Monday evening after slipping out of handcuffs that had not been properly tightened, Times of Malta has learnt.

After freeing himself, Guinean Seykou Ballde made his way to the first floor of
the police station and ran out from the back of the building which is at street level.

He is still on the loose. 

The 32-year-old had been arrested when officers of the Rapid Intervention Unit heard a woman's screams as she was allegedly being raped in Paceville on Monday at 3am. The man tried to flee but was caught.

Sourcse 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.

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