Barry Bloomfield jailed for Rockhampton Hospital custody escape

A man was so hellbent on not returning to prison once released on parole that he hid in a freezer, gave police a false name and pushed officers backwards into objects.

Rockhampton police released images during in an appeal for information after Barry Bloomfield (pictured) bolted from corrective services custody at Rockhampton Hospital on June 3, 2023.

A man was so hellbent on not returning to prison once released on parole that he hid in a freezer, gave police a false name and pushed officers backwards into objects.

Barry Bloomfield, 23, was on parole for a king-hit in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall when he resisted arrest and fled police multiple times, Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard on November 27.

He was assaulted in prison within 48 hours of his arrival and required medical treatment at Rockhampton Hospital for a broken jaw.

While at the hospital, he assaulted two prison guards and a nurse as he fled custody.

He was captured two days later in North Rockhampton.

Bloomfield was sentenced this week for 16 offences that took place between April 7 and June 3, including the escape from the hospital.

Barry Bloomfield

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said Bloomfield has “a general reluctance to being returned to custody” as evident by his offending this year.

When police spoke to Bloomfield on April 7, while he had used syringes in his bag and shorts’ pocket, he gave them a false name.

He also had a solid brass Windsor collector’s coin in his possession in a solid plastic case which police suspected was stolen.

Mr Fox said police were called to a Elphinstone Street address on April 30 about 2pm regarding a disturbance and arrested Bloomfield due to a warrant.

“He attempted to walk away,” he said.

“He was advised he was under arrest and could not leave.

“He was warned and he pushed a constable in the chest with both hands, causing that constable to lose footing, fall backwards and hit his head.”

Bloomfield ran from police, jumped several fences and he was located about four days later at an address in Koongal, hiding under a bed.

Mr Fox said police found Bloomfield hiding in a closest at an Elphinstone Street address on May 27 after reports he was using scissors to stab himself in the leg and arm.

He said he resisted arrested by pulling away and pushing police.

Bloomfield was taken into custody on June 1 after police spotted him at the entrance of a residence.

He ran from police and hid in a freezer before being arrested and taken to the watchhouse, where he again attempted to escape custody.

Mr Fox said while at the watchhouse Bloomfield told the sergeant he didn’t want to go to prison before running towards the electronic door behind him which led to the exit door.

“He conducted a running, jumping, flying kick,” he said.

Mr Fox said Bloomfield made solid contact with the internal electronic door, damaging it, but it didn’t open and he turned towards police and into a fighting stance.

He said the damage to the “very strong door” was a broken locking mechanism which required specialist repair.

Mr Fox said Bloomfield was taken to the prison and upon arrival, he was involved in a fight with an inmate and required medical care at Rockhampton Hospital.

Barry Bloomfield (pictured)

The next day, June 3, Bloomfield requested his leg shackle be transferred to the other leg and while the corrective services officer was moving it Bloomfield kicked out with both legs, causing the officer to fall over and hit his head on the floor.

Bloomfield then pushed the other corrective services officer with both hands, causing her to fall into the edge of the doorway.

He then pushed a nurse, who was standing in the doorway, out of his path, and her head hit a counter when she fell over.

Bloomfield also knocked over a portable airconditioning unit and resuscitation trolley as he ran towards the exit, through the ambulance bay and down the street.

He was on parole for the majority of the offending after being sentenced to 2.5 years prison for punching a man in Queens Street Mall for intervening in a domestic argument.

Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said Bloomfield was either on drugs or suffering from withdrawal systems at the time of offending.

“He was taking whatever he could get while he was out (of prison),” he said.

Mr Gimbert said his client had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Bloomfield pleaded guilty to four counts of obstruct police, one of assault police, two of serious assault of corrective services officers, one escape custody, one of possessing suspected stolen property, two of failing to safely dispose of used syringes, one of failing to appear in court and one of contravening a police direction.

Bloomfield was sentenced to 18 months prison, cumulative on the Queens Street Mall sentence which expires on November 21, 2024.

He was given a parole eligibility date of May 5, 2024.

Originally published as Barry Bloomfield jailed for Rockhampton Hospital custody escape