A MAN who went on the run by joining a travelling fair is finally behind bars.

Jamie Cross was dodging police for more than year after he was found guilty of affray for his part in a family feud that escalated outside Ludlow Junior and Infants School, on Peveril Road, Woolston.

The 22-year-old was seen threatening members of his family with a catapult and hailing abuse at them, following a dispute between his father Nigel Cross and other family members. The incident came to a head outside the school when a car was damaged, while other members of the Cross family were seen using spades and metal bars during the melee.

Southampton Crown Court heard that while he was on bail awaiting his trial, Cross was also found to be in possession of a bladed article when officers caught him and three other people trying to break into vans.

Judge Peter Henry said Cross was “disgraceful” before handing him a 15-month jail term.

Nicole Talbot-Hadley, prosecuting, said that the affray happened at around 11.30am in October 2015 and children witnessed the scene.

She said Cross had been due to be sentenced in 2017 following the trial but left the court. His father Nigel and mother Tracey Cooper received sentences of 16 months custody and 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, respectively.

Ms Talbot-Hadley added: “While on bail for the affray matter, Cross was seen as part of four males trying to break into vehicles on Tickleford Drive, Newtown. Cross seemed to have a crowbar and was trying to smash into the vans.” A police dog unit was deployed and cross was arrested for his part in the incident.”

The court heard that after he failed to appear for his sentencing in January 2017, a warrant for arrest was issued.

That warrant was executed in February 2017 after officers arrested him.

Mitigating, Andrew Houston told the court Cross joined up with a travelling fair before moving to a different part of Southampton, potentially away from members of his family.

He said that the affray incident was a show of “loyalty” to his father and that although he was armed with a catapult he only threatened to use it.

In sentencing Cross, Judge Henry said: “Cross was the spark of the affray incident and committed other crimes while on bail. I have to send him to prison. His actions were disgraceful.”

Cross, of Weston Lane, pleaded guilty to failing attend a court hearing and possessing a bladed article. He was convicted of affray following his trial in 2016.