A RAPIST who vaulted a court dock and fled when a jury convicted him was today starting a prison sentence.
Byron Toner was jailed for brutally attacking and raping an 18-year-old girl and escaping from court.
The 27-year-old was on the run and in hiding for more than a year.
As a fugitive, he spent time in Spain, but was eventually caught hiding in a Kensington attic last month, Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday.
He attacked the woman in his flat in Merton Road, Bootle, on November 15 and 16, 2008.
Toner was put on trial in October, 2009, but escaped after hearing the jury’s verdict.
Judge Adrian Lyon ruled that Toner should not be allowed to apply for parole until he has served at least six years in jail, including time spent on remand.
