Man placed on probation bond for escaping prison 7 years ago

Andrew Penn has been placed on a $3,000 probation bond for the next two years for walking out of Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) without permission seven years ago.

Penn was sentenced after being found guilty of escaping lawful custody.

Before handing down her sentence, Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards said she took into consideration the fact that Penn is a mental health patient who would require treatment for the rest of his life.

She also said a non-custodial sentence would suffice considering the long time that had elapsed since April 6, 2013, when he committed the offence.

In addition to the probationary bond, Penn must also attend therapy on Mondays at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital and is prohibited from using drugs or alcohol.

What the court heard happened

The court heard that Penn was on remand at the HMP and was deemed a ‘low-risk’ inmate.

He was placed in the facility’s Immigration detention centre. But, on the day in question, Penn was captured on surveillance cameras leaving the adult penitentiary during the prison’s ‘recreation time’. He was seen leaving via an unofficial exit near the prison farm.

Police were subsequently called to recapture the offender. He was reportedly found laughing while walking back to the prison, the court heard.

When asked why he had left, Penn said he went for a walk.