Kirkham prison absconder's grandma was gravely ill, court told

A violent prisoner who absconded from an open jail had learned his grandma was dying, a court has heard.
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Mark Lord, 35, and currently of HMP Kirkham, on Freckleton Road, Kirkham, admitted remaining unlawfully at large on February 15 and 19 this year, after the expiry of his day release.

Preston Crown Court was told he is part way through a sentence of 18 months custody for causing actual bodily harm, and he also has a serious previous record, including causing grievous bodily harm and drugs offences, committed in the Bolton area.

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But the court took pity on him after hearing he had tried to surrender himself after the family trauma.

HMP KirkhamHMP Kirkham
HMP Kirkham

Judge Simon Medland QC, sentencing him, said: “You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence: escape from lawful custody.

“That said, however, you were originally given formal day release from HMP Kirkham because your grandmother was very seriously ill and it was whilst you were lawfully in the community that you were told that further treatment of her was going to be withdrawn.

“You understandably wanted to be there at that time. You then tried to surrender yourself as soon as you could but the police station concerned was not able to take you.

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“You informed the authorities where you were and waited until you were arrested. You admitted the matter in interview and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“Your earliest date of release from the long sentence you are presently serving is this Friday. In the circumstances of this case I am not going to add to that.”

He imposed seven days in jail, concurrent to his existing term, which means his release date won't be affected.

The case comes weeks after we revealed 25 convicted killers at the jail were free to roam the streets of Lancashire over a 12 month period. 19 people absconded from the establishment last year.