Only an immediate prison sentence is appropriate because you chose to leave custody when you knew that you had been properly remanded

Judge John Rogers QC

Roberts, 34, of Churchton Drive in Wrexham, had been arrested for alleged shoplifting and was in a holding cell at the police station.

A civilian warder who took him a cup of coffee was distracted and did not slip the bolt back in place.

Roberts got up and walked out of the cell and took the opportunity to leave out of the main door as a solicitor was being allowed in.

He was arrested at his home early the following morning.

Decision questioned

Roberts admitted a charge of escaping from custody, and a further charge of failing to turn up at court earlier this week.

Jailing him for six months, Judge John Rogers QC told him: "Only an immediate prison sentence is appropriate because you chose to leave custody when you knew that you had been properly remanded."

Earlier the judge questioned a decision by Wrexham magistrates to give Roberts bail - which he then failed to answer.

"I find it very difficult to understand why magistrates bailed a defendant who has repeatedly failed to appear when bailed, and who was appearing before them for escaping from custody," the judge said.

Locked in

Prosecutor Mr Robert Blakemore told the court that the defendant was in custody on an alleged shoplifting charge - which he had denied.

"The opportunity was there. The door was open so I just went," Roberts explained.

Defending barrister Mr John Lever said that his client had a string of offences for dishonesty and was a heroin user.

He had left the cell because the opportunity presented itself but he had not hidden away. He had simple gone home and was arrested.

"He was bound to be caught immediately by the police," said Mr Lever.