Bikie Brandt Graham Escapes from Darwin Local Court Custody

A manhunt is under way in Darwin for a 44-year-old bikie after he scaled an enclosed courthouse dock and escaped from custody today. Northern Territory Police said Brandt Graham absconded from security guards at the Darwin Local Court at 9:50am. Court documents provided to the ABC reveal Mr Graham is a patched member of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, regarded by police as an outlaw motorcycle gang, and goes by the nickname Smokey. CCTV footage obtained by the ABC captures the moment Mr Graham ran from the court. It shows Mr Graham dashing out of the courthouse entrance and sprinting down Cavenagh Street in the CBD, with security guards running after him. In a statement, police said Mr Graham was last seen walking into Tomaris Court in Marrara, though they noted he may have been sighted at Doctors Gully in Larrakeyah around 10:40am. Police said Mr Graham had been "under the custody of G4S" — a private security firm contracted by the NT government to manage prisoner transfers — when he escaped. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said it "does not comment on individual prisoners". "NT Police were notified immediately after a prisoner escaped from G4S custody at Darwin Local Court this morning," the spokesperson said. "An internal investigation is underway and a full and thorough review will be undertaken into the circumstances of the escape." Police appeal for witnesses NT court listings reveal that Mr Graham was facing the Darwin Local Court today on drugs and weapons charges. The ABC understands he was listed for a bail application. Eyewitnesses told the ABC they saw Mr Graham scale a perspex-enclosed court dock when he appeared before court. One witness, who did not wish to be named, said she had been in line to collect her belongings from the court's security scanners when Mr Graham allegedly rushed past her and almost bowled her over. The woman, who is pregnant and had two young children with her, told the ABC the experience had left her feeling confused and frightened. NT Police are appealing to the public to help them find Mr Graham and return him to custody. They described him as Caucasian in appearance and approximately 185 centimetres tall with a medium build, long brown hair and a short beard. He also has a tattoo on his left wrist and was last seen wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt. Police are asking anyone who has seen Mr Graham to call Triple-Zero (000), but to not approach him.