Escaped prisoner was found playing pool in Gainsborough pub

An escaped prisoner who was found playing pool in a Lincolnshire pub after spending eight days at large has been jailed for six months.

Liam Lytollis, 31, was also found in a possession of a knife after he was recognised by regulars at the White Horse pub in Gainsborough.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Lytollis had been an inmate at HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire after being sentenced to an indeterminate sentence for public protection. (IPP)

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Lytollis went missing from the Category D open jail during a three hour period on the evening of 6 February this year.

"He had no authorisation or reason for leaving," Mr Howes told the court.

Police made a public appeal for Lytollis and he was finally discovered playing pool at the White Horse pub on 14 February.

On his arrest Lytollis was found to be in possession of a knife with a three inch blade.

Lytollis, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to escaping from custody and possession of a bladed article.

Leanne Summers, mitigating told the court Lytollis had been in and out of jail since he received an indeterminate sentence for public protection in 2011.

Miss Summers said Lytollis was recalled to jail in 2021 and was serving his sentence at HMP Sudbury.

"He struggled a great deal mentally due to not knowing his release date and that prompted the reason for his escape," Miss Summers explained.

"Having escaped he did visit his mother but realised that put her in a difficult position so he only stayed for a short period.

"During his eight days at large he stopped in an abandoned caravan. He had the knife to get into the caravan.

"He went to that pub knowing he would be arrested. He was well known at that pub and told people he had escaped from custody."

Passing sentence Recorder Adrian Jack told Lytollis there had to be a further sentence of imprisonment.

"For reasons which were wholly inadequate you decided to escape from prison," Recorder Jack said.

"It is a matter of great concern you should have had a bladed article in those circumstances."

Lytollis will serve the six month prison term concurrent to his indeterminate sentence for public protection.