A SUSPECTED burglar who broke his pelvis in a car crash escaped from hospital on crutches after police called off their bedside watch.

Peter Gaughan was cut out of a car which crashed into a brick wall after being stolen from outside a house in Banbury Road, Oxford.

The 26-year-old was arrested and taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital.

Police guarding Gaughan were told to stand down on December 1, assuming he was in too much pain to escape.

But just hours later – despite his injuries – Gaughan hobbled out of the JR and is now being hunted by police after eight days on the run.

Last night the man whose house was broken into before his car keys and car were taken said police had apologised.

Gaughan, from Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys, was arrested after the Honda S2000 was stolen on Friday, November 28.

The £8,000 car was completely written off in the crash in Carlton Road, Oxford.

Owner Majeed Quraishi, 29, said: “The whole thing is absolutely ridiculous.

“How were police outsmarted by this man? He hardly seems to be the Brain of Britain.

“Police have apologised, but it is not good enough. I have lost my car and still have a hole in the back of my house where (the thief) got in.

“I am going to be left seriously out of pocket.

“But more than that, we are talking about a serious crime here with possible jail time. How could the police be so complacent?”

Mr Quraishi, who is assistant manager at Cornmarket Street’s Orange mobile phone shop, added: “I’m so angry about this whole farce.

“The guy escaped on December 1, but I wasn’t told until two days ago, almost a week later. They say it costs too much to keep two officers on, but why not leave just one?

“The whole thing is embarrassing.”

Dc Charlotte Dunford believed the suspect could still be in the Oxford area.

She said: “Gaughan would have to be using crutches to get around and will be in considerable pain due to the nature of his injuries.

“We suspect that he may have had help from someone in leaving the hospital, so perhaps you saw this man exiting the hospital with another person?

“For his own sake I would ask that he contacts us as soon as possible so we can deal with this matter.”

She said Gaughan had a number of contacts in the Oxford area.

She added: “It might be that he is living in a hotel in the city, so if there is anyone out there who recognises this man as a guest in their hotel or B&B, then you should get in touch with us immediately.”

Anyone with information should contact Dc Dunford on 08458 505505.

Alternatively, you can call the Crimestoppers hotline anonymously on 0800 555111.