Leeds woman jailed after fleeing country with wanted gun crime suspect
A Leeds woman who fled the country together with the suspect in a firearms investigation has been jailed for assisting the offender.
Rashawn Bedeau flew out to Barbados with Ellis Thornton on January 31, 2023, despite knowing Thornton was wanted by West Yorkshire Police in connection with a firearms discharge on Lister Lane in Halifax.
Bedeau, of Arley Way in Leeds, then continued to financially support the suspect for six months until July 2023, when he left Barbados and moved to Suriname and Mexico.
Appearing before Leeds Crown Court on Friday (January 16), 28-year-old Bedeau was sentenced to two years in prison.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Andrew Ellis of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Bedeau helped Ellis Thornton leave the country and continued to fund his lifestyle for several months despite knowing he was a wanted suspect for a serious offence here in West Yorkshire.”
“I hope today’s sentence sends a message out to anyone who is in two minds about hindering a police enquiry in this manner. There is a penalty to pay.”
Thornton is still wanted by West Yorkshire Police. However, he is currently known to be in custody in the United States in connection with separate incidents that took place abroad.