[A] PRISONER who escaped from a Carlisle court dock to “cuddle and kiss” his girlfriend has been sent to prison.
David Scott Pattinson, 27, had been locked up for a city burglary and shop thefts when he appeared before magistrates on August 29.
But on learning he would be remanded in custody, Pattinson produced a pencil and threatened to stab security staff. He then scaled a glass wall and climbed out of the dock in a desperate bid to see his partner in the public gallery, kicking out and injuring a custody officer as he did so.
Pattinson, previously of Spencer Street, Carlisle, later penned a prison governor a letter, asking them not to contact police.
“I had a moment of madness,” he wrote. “I climbed over the dock and cuddled and kissed my girlfriend.”
Pattinson – who has almost 100 crimes to his name, including two previous custody escapes – was jailed for 27 months at Carlisle Crown Court today (MON).
He admitted three thefts, a burglary, escaping from custody, assault, property damage and a perverting the course of justice charge.
Judge Peter Davies told him: “You are a prevalent and persistent offender who is continuously and persistently addicted to drugs.”
