Code word triggered hospital jailbreak

An armed and masked man hatched a cunning plan with two friends to spring a prisoner from custody on a medical trip to a Hamilton hospital.

The prisoner was getting treatment for gunshot wounds from a previous robbery when his two friends rushed the guards with guns drawn.

Aram Hadi, 20, pleaded guilty yesterday to five charges, including carrying a firearm, which turned out to be an imitation.

The plot was organized from the Hamilton-Wentworth Detention Centre and ended after police issued a Canada-wide warrant for the arrest of Hadi.

Ontario Court Justice Maria Speyer imposed a publication ban yesterday on the identities of three co-accused to protect their right to a fair trial.

According to an agreed statement of fact filed in court, the escape occurred Nov. 24, 2009, after a man who was charged with numerous offences involving a violent robbery was taken to Hamilton General Hospital from the Barton Street jail to have gunshot wounds treated by doctors.