December 16, 2019 1.32 pm This story is over 51 months old

‘Fed up’ inmate walks out of open Lincolnshire prison

He has been given another prison sentence

Nicholas Burnett has now been given a six month jail sentence. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

An inmate walked out of North Sea Camp open prison because he was fed up waiting to hear when he will be released, Lincoln Crown Court was told on Monday.

Nicholas Burnett received an indeterminate sentence for public protection when he was jailed at Taunton Crown Court back in December 2007.

Burnett was told he would serve a minimum of three and a half years in custody but 12 years later he was still in jail waiting to be told when he would be freed.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said that Burnett walked out of North Sea Camp in the early hours of November 16, 2019.

Police were alerted just before 5am and he was arrested nine hours later after was found on the A158 near Gunby.

Mr Howes said: “In interview he said he was fed up with prison and wanted to go home.”

The prosecutor said that Burnett received his original sentence for an offence of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Burnett, 33, who remains a serving prisoner, admitted escaping from lawful custody on November 16. He was given a six month jail sentence which starts from Monday, December 16.

Judge Simon Hirst, passing sentence, told him: “You know that escaping from a prison always results in a custodial sentence.

“The principal implication of your sentence will be that the Parole Board will take it into account when deciding whether to release you or not.”

Christopher Hogg, for Burnett, said: “He had gone to North Sea Camp in the hope of being able to get parole. He had been there for 18 months and he became fed up. He simply walked out and was found some distance away.”