POLICE have launched a manhunt after an armed robber ‘vaulted’ from the dock and escaped during his trial at Burnley Crown Court.

Andrew Moran, 26, who police described as a ‘violent thug’, ran from the court after pushing a custody officer, climbing onto a chair and then jumping over the dock.

He and the man thought to have masterminded the raid are both understood to have fled abroad and could be in Spain.

Following his escape Moran was found guilty in his absence of conspiring to rob the Royal Mail after a seven week trial.

Moran will now be sentenced on April 2 for his part in the £25,000 raid on a security van at Colne Asda in May 2005.

During the raid, security guard James Hadkinson had a gun held to his neck, was threatened with a machete and hit over the head.

Officers are also looking for Steven Devalda, the alleged ring leader, of the robbery plot, who did not stand trial.

Devalda was arrested and charged in the proceedings but skipped bail and is also now on the run.

A third man, Anthony Carroll, 24 of Kingsway, Pendlebury was yesterday cleared of the same allegation and discharged by Judge Norman Wright.

Detective Inspector Simon Cheyte, of Lancashire police, said officers were actively seeking both Moran and Devalda.

“They are violent men and both of them are not afraid to use violence to evade arrest,” he added.

“If anybody does see them I wouldn't want anybody to approach them.

“As I understand it, the judge had decided to remand Moran in custody while the jury was out considering its verdict.

“However, he decided he was not going to do it and he jumped out of dock and ran out of the court.

“He was pursued by G4S security staff as there were no police officers present at the time, but he was lost.

“There is some security at the court but he managed to get out and was last seen in Burnley, running past the Town Mouth pub in Royle Road.

"That was the last anyone saw of him, although we understand he was in Salford later that day.

“We don’t think he is still in the area. It is difficult to know but there are lines of enquiry suggesting he has gone further afield, possibly abroad.”

DI Cheyte added: “This offence was one of violence involving a machete and a firearm so we are very keen to trace Moran and Devalda as soon as possible.

“The level of violence in this offence was astonishing and the security guard thought he was going to be killed.”

Following Moran’s escape, the police and ministry of justice, which is responsible for the court, said security during a case was a matter for the judge.

In this particular case, because Moran had previously been on bail, he was not deemed to be at a great risk of escaping.

The court heard Moran, of Wellbeck Grove, Salford had served time behind bars for wounding and police assault and had a record going back to 1999, including offences of possessing and supplying drugs.

Devalda, of Stanton Avenue, Kersal, Salford, disappeared after failing to sign on at Swinton Police station in July 2007.

Tim Brennand prosecuting had told the jury the robbery was sophisticated and well planned and the security van had been followed for three days leading up to the attack in Colne.

He had alleged: “The defendants were confident that they could never be traced.

"They chose their targets with care, well away from their home area.

Anyone with information about Moran or Devalda can contact crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Burnley police.