July 29, 2019 3.39 pm This story is over 56 months old

Sex offender serving life in open prison jailed after two days at large

He was due for release after a life sentence
Brian McBride failed to return to HMP North Sea Camp from a work placement in the Boston area. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

An inmate serving a life sentence for sex offences was found in a car 35 miles away after going on the run, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Monday.

Brian McBride, who had spent over 20 years in jail, disappeared after being allowed day release from North Sea Camp Open Prison on June 25 to carry out a work placement at a church in the nearby town of Boston.

However, he failed to return to the open prison and police went on the hunt for the 52-year-old.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court that McBride was due to be collected from outside the Centenary Methodist Church and taken back to the jail, but instead he disappeared.

McBride was found less than 48 hours later after a car in which he was a passenger was stopped on Golf Road, Mablethorpe.

Mr Jones said: “In 1997 he received a sentence of life imprisonment.

“In June of this year he was a serving prisoner at North Sea Camp who was given temporary release to take part in a work placement.

“He was due to be collected at 1pm but wasn’t present. He remained at large until June 27 when he was a passenger in a car that was stopped.”

McBride, 52, a serving prisoner, admitted a charge of remaining at large after being given temporary release from a life prison sentence on June 25 this year. He was jailed for four months.

Neil Sands, in mitigation, said: ” He is a man who has been making significant progress. He had been trusted to have a job five days a week out of prison.

“There had been an issue in the prison. His cell had been searched regularly but nothing had been found but he was told he would be moved back to a closed prison.

“There is going to be an immediate effect for him. The parole hearing that should have led to his release should have been held this month. He would have been released. He is aware that he is the author of his own misfortune.”