Police are searching for a man who escaped custody during his sentence hearing at Inverell.
30-year-old Richard Gardiner was at Inverell Local Court at around midday yesterday, when he ran from the building.
Police and a court sheriff officer attempted to detain him, but were unsuccessful.
He is described as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in appearance and about 175-centimetres tall with brown hair.
Anyone who sees Mr Gardiner should call Triple Zero.