A man is on the run after attacking a court official at Thames Magistrates court in London’s East End as he was being remanded on a weapons charge.

Police have named 20-year-old Kerol Farquharson as the man they are hunting.

His break-out came when he was told by magistrates he was going to be held in custody to appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court, charged with possessing a knife as an offensive weapon after being arrested in Hackney.

He struggled with a custody officer before escaping from the building in Bow Road yesterday (Tues).

Kerol (pictured), from Mape Street in Bethnal Green, is described as mixed race, slim, 5ft 10ins tall, with a scar on his left cheek.

Police are advising the public not to approach him, but to dial 999, contact Bethnal Green Police station on 020-8217 3848, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.