A PRISONER escaped on a stolen bike to catch a cab he booked from his cell on an illegal phone.
Gary Butcher waited till midnight before going on the run — riding to a chip shop where he had arranged to be picked up.
Gary Butcher waited till midnight before going on the run — riding to a chip shop where he had arranged to be picked up[/caption]
His escape from North Sea Camp, near Boston, Lincs, triggered a three-day manhunt before he flagged down a police car in Swadlincote, Derbys.
Prisoners at the jail are trusted to behave with minimum supervision.
Butcher, 55, was given a life sentence in 1995 for aggravated burglary and indecent assault.
He admitted escaping and was ordered to serve an extra six months in jail at Derby crown court.
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The lag got the cab to Coalville, Leics, paying £150 for the journey with cash he had withdrawn earlier.
His escape was only discovered when his cell was found empty the following morning.
Passing sentence, Judge Penelope Stanistreet-Keen said: “You being at large would cause consternation with the public”.
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