'Giant' criminal Jude Medcalf freed as jail bed too small Published duration 26 March 2014

A 7ft 2ins-tall (2.2m) criminal has been released from custody after a judge accepted prison beds and uniforms were too small for him.

Jude Medcalf, 23, of Newton Abbot, Devon committed a spate of crimes after being diagnosed with a rare growth disorder, Exeter Crown Court heard.

He has Klinefelter Syndrome that means he is still growing.

He was given a six-month curfew and 12-month community order after being held in jail on remand.

The court was told Medcalf's chromosomal disorder, which also leaves him with adolescent emotions, was diagnosed last year.

Bullies' 'target'

It led to a history of minor anti-social offending which culminated in an incident last July in which he armed himself with a BB pistol and a lock knife.

Prosecutor Brian Fitzherbert said that when Medcalf saw his girlfriend calling the police after he had attacked an acquaintance's car in Torquay, he fired the BB gun at her, which cracked a window.

"When the gun was pointed at her she did not know it was not real and feared for her life," Mr Fitzherbert said.

He admitted possession of an imitation firearm and a bladed article, criminal damage and burglary at an earlier hearing was remanded in custody until his sentencing.

William Parkhill, defending, said Medcalf had been unable to access the specialist medical and psychiatric treatment he needed since his "tragic" diagnosis.

Black eye

"He has spent 75 days in prison on remand and he is not somebody who copes well because of the physical aspects in terms of accommodation, bedding and clothing," Mr Parkhill said.

"He is also a target because he is big enough to be seen as someone who it is impressive to assault but immature enough that he cannot deal with it.

"He has been targeted twice and had a black eye the last time he came to court."