AN inmate who failed to return to prison on time after being allowed out on day release has been told he must spend longer behind bars.

David Foster was due back at HM Prison Thorn Cross, in Cheshire, at a certain time following a period of temporary release.

But he failed to do so, and he was subsequently charged with being a temporarily released prisoner unlawfully at large.

The 26-year-old’s case proceeded to sentence at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday, December 16.

Antony Millington, prosecuting, explained how Foster was a prisoner at the Appleton Thorn facility after being jailed by Liverpool Crown Court in August 2021.

The defendant was temporarily released from the Arley Road site, but without reasonable excuse, he remained unlawfully at large after the expiry of his release period.

The offence occurred between December 10 and December 15 last month.

Magistrates said they would take the defendant’s guilty plea into account, however they concluded that only immediate custody was appropriate.

This was due to the offence being ‘so serious’ that only a custodial sentence could be justified, with magistrates adding that the defendant has a ‘flagrant disregard for court orders’.

Foster, of HMP Thorn Cross, was sentenced to six weeks in custody consecutive to the sentence imposed by Liverpool Crown Court.

No order for court costs was imposed due to the defendant being in custody, however he was told he must pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £128.