Inmate escaped on eve of his release

Press, 8 February 1986, Page 4

Inmate escaped on eve of his release

PA Auckland A judge discharged without conviction a Mount Eden Prison inmate who escaped on the eve of his release after serving five years. . Cedric Albert James, aged 32, admitted the escaping charge before Judge Taylor in the District Court in Auckland. Sergeant Philip Wirth said that James was serving a seven-year sentence for causing grievous bodily harm, and receiving stolen goods. He was granted a day’s leave from Mt Eden Prison on January 30 and was involved in a motor accident in which a pedestrian was killed.

The Court heard that James was not hurt Policemen who attended the accident offered to drive him back to the prison before his leave expired at 10 p.m. However, James evaded the police after saying he wanted to buy food from a takeaway bar. Sergeant Wirth said that James returned to the prison voluntarily the next day, 12 hours after his leave had expired. He said he had been too upset to return straight after the accident. His counsel, Mr Roger Chambers, said James was due to be released on February 3. He was being paroled because of his

good work record while in prison. After the accident, he telephoned the authorities and assisted the family of the dead pedestrian, said Mr Chambers. The Judge said that James’ distress after the accident was understandable. James had been absent from the prison without leave for a fairly short time and the escape charge was really a technicality. He granted the discharge. James was remanded in custody. Mr Chambers said outside the court that James’ case would be reviewed by the Parole Board.