A SUSPECT tried to evade capture from police by jumping into Weymouth Harbour.

Stunned onlookers watched as the man plunged into the murky waters just before dawn in a bid to get away.

He dodged his captors by swimming between pontoons and hiding behind boats.

The man finally gave in after an hour and three-quarters and was fished out by a lifeboat crew.

He is one of three people being questioned about an attack in a block of flats on Boot Hill in the early hours of Saturday.

A 22-year-old man was treated in hospital after being beaten up in Netherton House, a former nursing home converted into flats on the corner of Rodwell Road and Chickerell Road.

Police officers were alerted at about 4am to a report of an assault and stopped three men in Rodwell Road matching the descriptions of those seen at the address.

As officers were quizzing the men at the roadside, one ran off and jumped into the inner harbour near North Quay.

Police called the coastguard for help and the inshore lifeboat was launched.

The ambulance service was also alerted and paramedics stood by.

Josh Stone saw the man in the harbour about 5.30am being pursued by the police and lifeboat volunteers.

He said: “There were two RNLI boats, five police officers and one ambulance all wasting their time for one idiot.

“They were waiting for him to give in and come out.”

Portland Coastguard watch manager Ros Evans said: “The call came in to us from police saying the man was in the water by the council buildings.

“They had him surrounded but as he was in the water they couldn’t do anything about it.

“He then swam up through the harbour and under the Town Bridge.”

Mrs Evans warned of the dangers of being in the harbour, being exposed to cold water and among working boats.

She added: “The man managed to involve three emergency services.

“It took up a considerable amount of time for the police, lifeboat and ambulance service.

“That time could have been spent elsewhere.”

Detective Constable Ed Meanwell of Weymouth CID said the man took the opportunity to run away as he was being questioned.

He said: “He tried his hardest to evade capture and jumped into the water.

“It wasn’t just a case of plucking him out.

“He sought sanctuary in the middle of boats and hid between pontoons.

“After talking to officers he then swam further.

“The RNLI were requested to attend and police officers joined them on a rigid inflatable boat in an effort to get closer to him.”

Det Con Meanwell added: “After an hour and 45 minutes he came out of the water.

“Cold and exhaustion had taken its hold. He was taken to the lifeboat station and was checked by paramedics. He didn’t need to go to hospital.”

Det Con Meanwell said there was initial confusion about where the assault had taken place but he now knows it happened within Netherton House.

The victim suffered a bloody nose and cuts and bruises and received treatment in Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.

Three men have been arrested and since released on bail while inquiries continue.

Witnesses and anyone with information about the assault is asked to contact Weymouth CID in confidence on 01305 222222.