On-the-run burglar finally sent to prison
AJAILED crook who fled court and evaded police for FIVE weeks has finally been caught and locked up
Stephen Andrew Hempenstall walked out of a courtroom in Macclesfield on August 13 moments after being told he was going to prison for burglary.
The 34-year-old remained on the run until September 16 when he was picked up by police in Stockport.
Hempenstall, of Nelson Street, Macclesfield, was then hauled in front of magistrates in Crewe on September 17 where he admitted a further charge of theft.
Magistrates sentenced him to 24 weeks in prison.
Speaking after the sentence, Macclesfield police’s Chief Inspector Rob Dickinson said: “Hempenstall was trying to evade justice, but we will be relentless in pursuing wanted people – putting out alerts to neighbouring forces, using harbouring notices, checking addresses and following lines of enquiry as well as putting out media appeals and tweet- ing his picture.
“Our efforts and the efforts of our neighbouring force Greater Manchester Police only go to show that if you think you can escape justice, you are wrong. We will find you.”
Hempenstall appeared at Macclesfield magistrates’ court on August 13 where he admitted entering David of Duke Street hair salon between June 14 an 15 and stealing electrical hair styling products worth more than £250.
Magistrates sentenced Hempenstall to 16 weeks in prison because of his ‘horrendous record of acquisitive offending’ and ‘failure to comply with community orders’.
He was also ordered to pay compensation of £500 and costs of £260.
But moments later he made a brazen escape past two security guards through the main exit.
Magistrates issued a warrant without bail for ‘absconding from court having surrendered into the custody of the court’.
At Crewe magistrates court September 17 Hempenstall admitted stealing a TV worth £230 from B&M Bargains in Macclesfield on July 17.
He was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for this theft on top of the previous sentence.