A Lincolnshire court heard that an inmate who ran away from Lincolnshire’s open prison had pre-booked a taxi in order to escape.
Gary Butcher is currently serving a life sentence for aggravated burglary, indecent assault and was released from prison in 1995. He was reported missing from HMP North Sea Camp, near Boston, on 31 May.
After three days on the run, he surrendered to police in Swadlincote (Dereshire).
Derby Crown Court convicted Butcher, 55, of evading lawful custody
Adam Pearson, the prosecution’s attorney, told the court that Butcher had booked a taxi using his illegal mobile phone on the night before he fled.
The prisoner then took a bike from him just after midnight, and he rode to Boston. He was then taken by a taxi to Coalville in Leicestershire.
The barrister stated that Butcher paid PS150 for his trip with cash he had earlier withdrawn.
Only after his cell was empty the next morning did he realize he had escaped.
Butcher surrendered to the court after three days on the run.
Pearson claimed that Butcher fled because he was afraid he would be sent back to closed prison. He lost a job on the prison farms and said this during an interview with police.
Lewis Kerr, a defence barrister, disputed the reasons for his escape. He claimed that his client was shown indecent images from another prisoner. He then decided to flee because he couldn’t report it to prison authorities.
Passing sentence, Judge Penelope Stanistreet Keen stated that Butcher’s departure was “immaterial”.
She stated that, given his past convictions, being free would be a consternating prospect for the public.
He was also ordered to serve six additional months in prison for planning.
“The outside world wasn’t as appealing as you had hoped, and you gave up on yourself.” She added.
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