On-the-run thug back behind bars
ANGER THAT SECOND SENTENCE IS SHORTER THAN TIME HE SPENT IN HIDING
A VIOLENT criminal who escaped from prison and went on the run for nine months is back behind bars – with a jail sentence of less than half the time he was in hiding.
Paul James Butler, 41, from Stockport, was allowed a four-day temporary release from HMP Hatfield on May 27 last year.
But he failed to return to the open prison and was not seen again until his arrest at Hollywood Towers near the town centre last month.
Butler was serving a 10-year sentence for wounding with intent after he attacked his flatmate and repeatedly hit him over the head with a hammer.
He also stabbed his hand with a kitchen knife.
Despite the severity of the attack he was considered eligible for a temporary release, which some prisoners are allowed towards the end of their sentence. And when he did not return to the Doncaster prison no warning or appeal was made to let the public know he was at large.
A spokesman from South Yorkshire Police said no request for such an appeal was made by the prison service, which is necessary in order for one to be made.
Butler was found at Hollywood Towers, which was given as his address when he appeared at Stockport magistrates court. He was sentenced to four months in jail.
Coun Sheila Bailey, executive member for communities, has questioned why Butler was jailed for five months less than the time he spent on the run.
She said: “It does seem lenient on that basis. The major concern is that the public were not advised he had absconded when he had a history of violence.
“While you don’t want to cause concern, the public need protecting from someone who has been exceedingly violent. It would have been helpful to say to people ‘if you see this man, don’t approach him.’”
A Prison Service spokesman declined to speak about the case, saying: “We do not comment on individual prisoners.”
But he did say all prisoners are categorised according to a strict assessment of the risk they pose.
And they have their security category reviewed at regular intervals to ensure they are held in the most appropriate security conditions.
Butler had been jailed at Manchester Crown Court in July 2012 after admitting wounding his flatmate at their home on Moorcroft Walk, Burnage, that January.
After the attack the victim had to stagger to a phone box to call emergency services.