Woman who fled to Barbados with suspect jailed

A woman who fled to Barbados with a shooting suspect and helped bankroll him for several months has been jailed.

Rashawn Bedeau, 28, left the UK with Ellis Thornton in January 2023, while the latter was wanted by police in connection with an incident in Halifax.

West Yorkshire Police said Bedeau then went on to fund Thornton as he moved to Suriname and then Mexico.

Bedeau, of Arley Street in Leeds, was jailed for two years at Leeds Crown Court on Friday for assisting an offender, having previously been found guilty at trial.

Det Sgt Andrew Ellis 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 inquiry in this manner. There is a penalty to pay."

A force spokesperson said while Thornton remains a wanted man in the UK, he is currently in custody in the United States in connection with separate allegations.

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