Racially abusive gambler on the run after being sentenced
A gambler who hurled racial abuse at a police officer outside a casino before biting him is on the run.
Lee Preece, also known as Akmol Choudhury, was jailed for two and a half years in his absence at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week.
The 46-year-old vanished nine months ago following his conviction by a jury, on June 29, of racially aggravated wounding.
A warrant was issued for his arrest when he did not return for sentencing four weeks later.
He had landed in trouble while drunk, wrongly insisting he was owed a ‘considerable’ amount of money by a casino and taking a karate stance when staff told him he had not won anything.
Police were called as Preece was removed from the Castle Casino, in Castle Hill, Dudley at 3am on June 12, 2016, said Mr David Swinnerton, prosecuting.
Officers restrained and handcuffed him while he lay on the ground and he unsuccessfully tried to head butt one of them before racially abusing the man and sinking his teeth into the arm of the victim, who had to be taken to hospital to be tested for HIV and other infections, which were negative.
Repeated attempts by officers to trace Preece have failed and the Department of Work and Pensions has no record of him claiming benefits in either of the two names he has used in the past, the court heard.
His last known address was in Verbena Gardens, Duddeston, Birmingham, but he is now believed to be hiding in London.
