A criminal on trial for serious robbery and assault charges leapt out of the dock and tried to escape after hearing the jury had found him guilty.

Jackson Scott Wood and two co-accused stood trial in the District Court for three weeks before a jury finally handed down their decision late on Thursday.

His co-accused Matthew Paul Campbell was acquitted of all charges while another man, Stephen James Tucker was found guilty.

Wood, upon hearing the news that he had been found guilty of charges including false imprisonment, causing harm and serious criminal trespass, waited until the jury filed out of the court before leaping the dock.

The Advertiser understands he landed just in front of Judge Wayne Chivell’s associate, who sits in front of the judge in the courtroom.

However, Wood’s moment of freedom was short-lived as five sheriffs officers brought him to the ground.

media_camera Jackson Wood attempted to leap from the dock in the Sir Samuel Way building.

As he was already in custody, Wood was taken back to prison after being restrained.

Police are reviewing security footage from the courtroom and are expected to charge Wood with escaping custody.

The spontaneous escape attempt is thought to be the first escape attempt at the Sir Samuel Way building since Wayne Noel Maddeford jumped the dock and took a court stenographer hostage at knife point in September 1999.