Burglar escaped from prison but was spotted the next day riding a mountain bike
Michael Williams was also found in possession of several mobile phones belonging to other Standford Hill inmates when he was arrested
Michael Williams (left) escaped the open prison but was seen the next day (Image: Kent Police/Google)
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An inmate escaped from jail only to be spotted by a guard the next day riding a mountain bike and carrying a prison-issue laundry bag, a court heard.
Michael Williams, from Folkestone , had only been at large for less than 24 hours and was still wearing the same clothes.
The 42-year-old was one year into a 40-month sentence imposed for burglary offences when he walked out of HMP Standford Hill, a category D open prison on the Isle of Sheppey, on August 15 this year.
But the following morning he was seen in nearby Sheerness by a prison officer travelling to work at the same jail.
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Maidstone Crown Court heard how the guard followed Williams on his bike until police arrived to arrest him.
Maidstone Crown Court (Image: Daily Mirror)
While at large, Williams had taken the bicycle from outside a house 'as his feet were cold from walking'.
He also stole a gold bracelet, tablet device, a pair of sunglasses and a bottle of Jack Daniels from numerous cars.
Williams later claimed he was heading back to the prison to hand himself in when he was apprehended.
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He pleaded guilty to escape and four offences of theft and was jailed today (September 9) for four months.
The habitual burglar had been due for release in April next year but will have to serve the latest sentence consecutively.
(Image: Ian Waldie/Getty Image)
When arrested he was also found in possession of several mobile phones belonging to other inmates but the court was told he had not been charged in relation to that.
'Cold, hungry, and had no money'
Trevor Wright, defending, said Williams, from Folkestone, left HMP Standford Hill, where he held enhanced status, after being told about the death of a close friend.
"While he was outside the prison he realised he had made a fundamental error and it was time to go back and face the music," Mr Wright told the court.
"He was cold, hungry and had no money."
Passing sentence, Judge Stephen Thomas told Williams he was 'in a different category to that of a determined escapee'.
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