12 Month Prison Sentence for Southport ‘Spiderman’ James Gelling

Gelling appeared at Liverpool Crown Court stood handcuffed in a secure dock and admitted escaping from lawful custody, criminal damage and assault.

The court heard it was not the first time Gelling had escaped from a dock, following a similar incident at Southport Magistrates’ Court in 2006, when he was caught before he could escape out of the building.

James Gellings previous convictions include domestic-related harassment, battery and intimidation in 2012.

Gelling also attacked a landlord in a row over rent last year, and was facing charges of battery and criminal damage related to the incident when he escaped from the dock at Sefton.

Gelling is currently serving a five-month prison sentence for these offences.

Simon Duncan, prosecuting said: “Your previous convictions and the facts of this offence suggest you were alert and looking for the opportunity to escape if the decision went against you, which it did, and you were determined to exploit any weaknesses you could identify in the security of the court building.”

Judge Denis Watson, QC, sentenced Gelling to 12 months in prison consecutive to his current sentence.

Update: Southport ‘Spiderman’ James Gelling is back behind bars after five weeks on the run

The man-hunt for the James gelling came to an end in the early hours of December 18^th 2014.

Gelling of Avondale Road North was subsequently charged with escaping from lawful custody, assault and criminal damage.

James Peter Gelling appeared before South Sefton Magistrates Court on December 19^th and will next appear before Liverpool Crown Court on January 2nd 2015.

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The Southport Fugitive known as ‘Spiderman’ James Gelling Still at Large

Notorious Southport prisoner James Gelling(27) last week climbed over an 8ft-high dock and escaped from a court that refused him bail.

Merseyside police then launched a manhunt for the Gelling who was being held on remand over assault and criminal damage charges.

“Police would like to remind people that anyone found to be assisting or harbouring Mr Gelling is committing a criminal offence and could lead to imprisonment.

This is not first the time “onthespot” has reported on Gelling

In January 2006 James Gelling went on the run from the police and ended up on a rooftop in High Park Road, Southport.

Gelling On Roof Top – Thursday 9^th August 2007

Police cordoned off part of Southport town centre after he climbed onto a rooftop in Market Street to avoid being arrested by police. At the time he was wanted on warrant on suspicion of burglary.

ots-southport-james gelling Southport town centre was bought to a standstill as people watched him walk to the edge of a dormer 60 foot up giving the “tosser” sign to members of the public below.

On this occasion Gelling came down peacefully and was taken to Southport police station for questioning.

Nowhere to climb for Gelling following town centre drama (Friday 12th October 2007)

James Gelling caught in a web spun by Southport Community Support Officers (Friday 12th October 2007)

James Gelling who was wanted on a warrant was spotted by an eagle eyed police officer in Corporation Street, Southport . An assault allegedly occurred on a WPC, however the suspect reportedly made an escape. A team of community support officers were quickly on hand and gave chase.

With the assistance of the police helicopter the officers located Gelling on the Promenade, where the suspect was apprehended by community support officers and taken into custody.