Smash and grab raider walked out of Leyhill Prison after being refused leave

11:04am Thursday 29th July 2010

By Court Reporter

A SMASH and grab raider nearing release from a five-and-a-half year jail term walked out of an open prison after being refused weekend leave, a court heard.

Peter Wildsmith, 36, was frustrated that Leyhill Prison would not allow him leave during August to help him find accommodation for his release in October, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

Wildsmith pleaded guilty to escaping from Leyhill on July 11 and was sentenced to an extra two months in prison.

Prosecutor Lisa Hennessy said Wildsmith had been sentenced on January 2, 2008 to five-and-a-half years in jail for three burglaries, two offences of dangerous driving and two of driving while disqualified.

The burglaries were both smash and grab raids - one on a jewellers' shop in Gloucester and the other on an antiques shop in Cheltenham four days later. He stole more than £25,000 worth of jewellery and watches in the two raids.

Wildsmith was caught by two workmen who challenged him after the second raid. The workmen, Alex Peers and Andy Hunt, later received £200 rewards each from the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.

Mrs Hennessy said Wildsmith, formerly of Cheltenham, served the first part of his sentence in Dartmoor but was moved from there to Leyhill on June 3 this year.

At 11.45am on July 11 he was still present but that night he had gone. He handed himself in to police three days later on July 14.

"He said he walked out because he was annoyed at not being given home leave as he wanted to sort out housing for his release in October," Mrs Hennessy said.

Judge Martin Picton said: "He has clearly used his time in prison constructively but now he has made a complete mess of it."

Lloyd Jenkins, defending, said Wildsmith had done 'everything possible to co-operate' during his sentence but felt depressed and unsupported when Leyhill refused his home leave request.

"He is very worried about his release in October. He says it is a vicious circle because every time he is released he has no accommodation or support and he commits crime again.

Judge Picton told Wildsmith he understood the pressures on prisoners in his position but he had tackled the problem in the wrong way., "Walking out does not help your cause, does it?" said the judge.

"No sir, but I want to move to a new area and sort my life out," said Wildsmith.

The judge said he would pass a consecutive sentence of only two months for the escape in view of the reasons and the fact that Wildsmith had not offended again while at liberty and had given himself up after a short period.