By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter

Published: 06:00 EST, 4 December 2023 | Updated: 06:00 EST, 4 December 2023

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By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter

Published: 04:50 EST, 4 December 2023 | Updated: 04:50 EST, 4 December 2023

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• The daredevil was caught in a whirlpool on Llandudno beach near Cape Town

By Jamie Pyatt in Cape Town

Published: 03:21 EST, December 1, 2023 | Updated: 08:48 EST, December 1, 2023

The suspect, 34-year-old Michael C. Burham, was last seen in the prison gym about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, according to Warren and Jamestown police who shared the information on Facebook.

New York: Pennsylvania authorities are desperate for a suspected murderer with survival skills who escaped from the Warren County Jail Thursday night using a rope made from prison sheets.

The suspect, 34-year-old Michael C. Burham, was last seen in the prison gym about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, according to Warren and Jamestown police who shared the information on Facebook.

CCTV footage also shows Burham entering the gym with three other inmates, as reported by Erie-Times News, citing an affidavit filed on Friday.

The accused was last seen training in the prison gym

Burham was last seen doing pull-ups on exercise equipment before escaping the building through the roof.

After his escape, the suspect tied a rope “consisting of several prison sheets tied together” and slid down and landed on the porch. From there, he jumped to the ground and escaped, as reported by the New York Post, citing the complaint.

A history book

Burham was held on charges of arson and burglary and was also a suspect in a murder investigation. He was linked to a previous carjacking and kidnapping of a local couple while trying to escape.

The suspect is considered very dangerous and police have asked people to be vigilant and to report immediately if they see him.

According to Warren Police, Michael C. Burham was last seen wearing an orange and white striped jumpsuit, a denim jacket and Crocs shoes.

The manhunt

Police are using all available resources, including a dog squad, off-road vehicles and drones, in their efforts to recapture the defendant, as reported by CNN, citing Warren County spokesman Cecile Stelter.

Local authorities and federal agencies, including New York’s Jamestown Police Department, are teaming up to apprehend the escaped suspect.

Burham faces 26 charges and is due to be heard on July 11, as reported by the New York Post.

The manhunt to arrest the suspect is still ongoing.

Warren City is located in northern Pennsylvania, about 18 miles from Jamestown, New York.

An expert psychiatrist has debunked the psychological impulses behind the world’s greatest escape from court.

Impulsiveness, opportunism and hard calculations all contribute to the split-second decisions made by those who make daring attempts to escape the courtroom.

In the work of forensic psychiatrist Dr. Sohom Das, he analyzes criminals as they make their way through criminal justice systems around the world.

The expert doctor cut his teeth working in Britain’s courts, prisons and secure psychiatric units – including the infamous Broadmoor Hospital, which houses some of Britain’s most notorious criminals.

In his career, he works with murderers, rapists, thieves and arsonists, acts as an expert witness in court and helps treat and rehabilitate dangerous and violent offenders.

Now Das has offered his insights into those who try to avoid their time by taking a break from it – and the psychological impulses that drive them to do it.

In addition to background factors, such as poverty and growing up in crime, character elements, such as a lack of empathy, can lead someone to look for a big break.

But in some cases, it’s just an impulsive and risky nature that tries to set them free.

Here, MailOnline examines some of the greatest court escapes in history – as well as the motive behind them.

Gerald Hyde II

Gerald Hyde II made an extraordinary escape in 2015, sneaking out of the courtroom, slipping out of his prison clothes and slipping out of the courthouse doors.

The handcuffed criminal, then 24 years old, made a daring escape dodging an armed guard while turning his back.

A video shows him fleeing court in Benton County, Washington, by taking off his shoes and removing his prison shirt before using it to hide his handcuffs.

He is then shown running out of the courthouse before simply fleeing the doors of the courthouse after being convicted of methamphetamine possession.

Police tracked Mr Hyde II to an apartment block just three miles away and returned him to prison less than two hours later.

Afterwards, the court reviewed its security measures and concluded that Hyde had managed to escape through a “blind spot.”

In his analysis, Dr Sohom Das said: ‘I think some criminals are quite impulsive and also risk takers.

“I think that’s relevant because that’s what we’re seeing here with these people trying to get out of court. It’s a reflection of their natural personality.’

Kodey Howard and Tanner Jacobson

Two inmates tried to escape the Lewis County Courthouse in Washington – apparently with nothing more than a whim to get away.

Kodey Howard and Tanner Jacobson saw an opportunity to run for it.

However, judge RW Buzzard took matters into his own hands as he took off his black robes and chased after them.

Courthouse security footage showed the judge grabbing Howard at the exit door, while deputies grabbed Jacobson a few blocks away.

Jacobson, then 22, of Onalaska and Howard, then 28, of Winlock were each hit with a misdemeanor charge of second-degree escape.

It is not clear which charges the duo were initially facing in court.

Cameras around the building captured the drama of the escape attempt.

Staircase surveillance footage shows Jacobson taking the lead and quickly descending the four flights of stairs to the lower floor, sometimes taking several steps at a time.

Dr. Das concluded: ‘Another element of some criminals is opportunism. So they don’t necessarily go out to offend. But if they see something there, like a possible burglary, they grab that opportunity with both hands.

“What we see here are just opportunistic opportunities to just run and escape the law.

“They’ll know there’s a possibility of another charge of escape from custody.”

Jacobson said after the incident: “We were sitting there on the benches together, and he said, ‘I’m going to run.'”

Howard explained his thought process during the escape by saying, “I said, ‘What am I doing? What did I just do? I have to get on with it now. There’s nothing – I can’t stop here.

‘There’s nothing I can do now. I’m screwed.”

Jacobson added, “I don’t even know why I did it. I’d be out of here if I hadn’t run away.’

Dr. Sohom continued: ‘I’m sure there is such a cost-risk balance in all their heads that they are calculating, maybe even subconsciously.

“For me it would depend on the length of their sentence. If someone has a fairly minor charge, it’s not really worth it because you could get caught and serve more jail time as opposed to someone who has a murder charge.

In addition, another element would be how likely they are to evade the police in the long run. So someone who has connections to the criminal underworld, who has colleagues who are going to help them, could succeed.

“But someone who doesn’t have that and has nowhere to go will be caught sooner rather than later.”

Australia is a world unto itself – and one that is home to worlds within worlds, breathtaking islands with beaches covered in floury sand, exotic wildlife and landscapes that time forgot.

Here we present some of Australia’s most enticing island escapes, listing the inimitable Whitsundays, the car-free Maria Island, the shipwrecked nirvana that is Lord Howe Island and the koala paradise of Raymond Island.

Scroll down to learn more about these wanderlust-inducing treasures.

Which one would you most like to visit?

THE WHITSUNDAYS – QUEENSLAND

Located 34 miles (55 km) off the coast of Queensland, the Whitsundays are made up of 74 sand paradise islands scattered around the center of the Great Barrier Reef, with Hamilton, Hayman (image three and four) and Daydream (image five) – and the award-winning Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island (top two images) – just some of the highlights.

It’s a trip of a lifetime territory.

Australia. com says: ‘The proximity to the Great Barrier Reef means the Whitsundays are a mecca for sailing, diving and snorkelling, and there are plenty of opportunities to tick off some worthy activities, such as swimming with turtles or flying over the famous Heart Reef.’

For more information visit www.queenland.com.

THE ISLAND OF Lord HOWE – NEW SOUTH WALES

Seven million years ago, Lord Howe Island was a huge shield volcano.

Today it is a ten-kilometer paradise for the 400 visitors who are allowed to stay there at any given time.

Located 700km (435 miles) northeast of Sydney, it serves up a slice of castaway nirvana, with a marine park home to 450 species of fish and 90 species of coral and pristine beaches.

Stay with Chapel Lodge for the best views on the island, offered from the infinity pool.

RAYMOND ISLAND – VICTORIA

Everyone loves Raymond Island, which is located 300 km (190 mi) east of Melbourne in the Gippsland region and is described by Visit gippsland.com as a ‘forest paradise’.

Visitors are likely to spot koalas there — the 3.7-mile (two-kilometer) island is home to a huge population of the iconic marsupial — along with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, and parrots.

The island is easily reached from Paynesville via a five-minute ferry ride, which is free for pedestrians and cyclists.

After disembarking, passengers can take a 1.2 km signposted ‘koala walk’. Accommodation on the island is available – www.gippslandlakesescapes.com.au/gippsland-accommodation.

GABO ISLAND – VICTORIA

Located 500 meters off the pristine coast of Croajingolong National Park in eastern Victoria, remote Gabo Island is small, only 2.4 km long and 0.8 km wide, but it packs a punch.

Visitors can explore the 19th-century Gabo Island Lighthouse, which, at 47 meters (154 feet) tall, is Australia’s second tallest lighthouse, and ‘walk the island’s pink granite shoreline and rock pools… or relaxing on the sandy beach,” suggests Park Victoria.

There will be plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities meanwhile – the island is home to 21,000 pairs of breeding penguins and 20,000 pairs of white-headed petrels. Visitors should also keep their eyes peeled for passing whales, dolphins and seals.

While the island makes a great day out, it’s also possible to stay there – in the historic assistant lighthouse keeper’s cottage, which can accommodate up to eight guests.

The island has been praised by Tripadvisor users, with “Run to see the world‘ describes it as ‘one of the most unique and spectacular islands to visit in Australia’.

A handful of charter boat companies 14km (8.6 miles) away in Mallacoota provide transfers to and from the island, while a small airstrip means you can arrive by light aircraft.

TROUBRIDGE ISLAND, YORKE PENINSULA – SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Beautiful Troubridge Island – home to a 24.7-metre-tall 19th-century lighthouse – lies off the coast of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, west of Adelaide and a 15-minute boat ride from Edithburgh.

It is described by the Troubridge Island Escape website as a place ‘where time stands still’.

And what to do there while the clocks are standing still? Laze on the white sand beaches, check out the colony of penguins and resident cormorants and crested terns, hang out in the heritage-listed lighthouses that can be your home for a few nights, and generally enjoy the shipwrecked atmosphere.

Accommodation prices start at $1,144 AUD (£617 $772 US).

KING ISLAND – TASMANIA

King Island is located 80 km (49 mi) northwest of Tasmania and is according to kingisland.org.au‘another world’, a veritable mishmash of ‘iconic golf courses, boutique lodges and art exhibitions’.

The website adds: ‘When you visit, please remember: A wave from the steering wheel to any approaching vehicle is mandatory, the hotel concierge and airport baggage handler are the same person, and we have traffic lights…but only on Wednesdays. Life here on King Island is just a little bit more… life.”

Discover Tasmania notes a few other highlights – hiking in the Calcified Forest, surfing at Martha Lavinia Beach, and feasting on cheese from King Island Dairy.

MARIA ISLAND – TASMANIA

Step onto car-free Maria Island, six kilometers (3.7 miles) off Tasmania’s east coast, and you’ll find yourself in a wildlife haven, where Tasmanian devils, ranger kangaroos and rare Cape barren geese roam, says Discover Tasmania.

The site adds that there are also Convict World Heritage Sites, cliffs with swirling sandstone patterns, and the 711-foot Mount Maria to conquer.

Lower elevation activities include guided hikes, biking, snorkeling, and lounging on crescent-shaped beaches.

There are no shops on the island, a designated national park, but it is possible to stay there – there are campsites and basic accommodation available in an old prison.

TIWI ISLANDS – NORTHERN TERRITORY

The Tiwi Islands, or the “Island of Smiles,” consist of two main islands: Bathurst and Melville, which lie 80 km (49 mi) north of Darwin.

Most residents are of Aboriginal descent and some of them you will encounter on cultural and wildlife tours, says Northern Territory. com.

It adds: ‘The people of the Tiwi Islands are known for their traditional lifestyle, stunning artwork, vibrant fabrics and textiles, plus an exuberant passion for football.’

A witty baby has escaped the shackles of his crib by dragging him across the bedroom floor while still in it.

Incredible camera footage from Colombia shows the adorable moment when the sneaky baby sprang into freedom and leapt into the light hallway.

The smooth maneuver saw the young child, who is not identified in the clip, use his physical strength to stagger the crib all the way to another bed across the room.

In one fell swoop, he does a somersault on the mattress before crawling away and running quickly to the nursery door.

Perhaps the most extraordinary part of the clip is when the toddler returns to put the crib back in its rightful place, making sure it leaves no clue behind.

Toddlers can be agile little creatures given the chance and this spirited baby was no different.

The little boy saw the perfect opportunity to jump ship and quickly worked to come up with a master plan.

The short video begins with the baby boy all alone in the crib.

He looks around and begins to scratch his head, visible in the throws of hatching a grand plan.

He tries to climb over the bars of the crib in a hurry, before seeming to abandon the plan and think again.

The boy lies face down on a mattress and uses his abdominal muscles to steer the cot toward the bed.

He exhausts himself, but quick thinking leads him to try other parts of his body.

He then uses his arms to apply firm pressure to the cradle and the genius plan is now well underway.

He finally reaches the larger bed safely and slowly but surely rolls out of the bed and falls flat on the mattress.

He wastes no time and quickly grabs his teddy bear before running for the door.

Walking towards the open door, he hesitates – it seems that the little one has forgotten something.

He returns to push the crib back into place, so as not to raise the alarm for suspicious adults.

Satisfied with himself, he waddles cutely into the rest of the house.

And it’s not the first time a mischievous toddler has been caught on camera.

In Phoenix, Arizona, a baby had a helping hand to forge his own great escape.

A crafty toddler was caught on camera helping her little brother escape from his crib by giving him a stool and pulling him over the bars.

Ruth Pippin was shocked when her “thief fat” kids, Rylie, four, and son Levi, two, sauntered into her and husband Todd’s bedroom before she’d woken either of them.

To find out how her son had managed to escape from his crib, she started watching the recordings on his baby monitor, fearing he might have fallen and hurt himself.

But the hilarious footage showed Rylie sneaking into her brother’s room and the two of them hatching a plan to get him out.

As the four-year-old holds a stool, Levi begins to point to one end of his bed as if gesturing for her to put it there.

Ignoring her brother’s plan, she decides to throw it against the bars at the other end of the bed before climbing onto the leather chair next to his bed.

Working together, Rylie holds on tight as she leans back and gently slides Levi across the wood and onto the chair before the pair happily waddle out of his room and head to their mother.

Terrifying scenes as a nine-year-old boy is rescued from a mansion engulfed in flames after being left home ALONE

• Boy, 6, escaped fire at mansion in western Sydney
• Broke a window to escape before being helped by neighbours
• It is believed that the burning candle started the fire

By Antoinette Milienos for Daily Mail Australia

published: 11:48 am EDT, Jun 10, 2023 | Updated: 05:07 EDT, Jun 11, 2023