Man Sent Back To Jail After 16 Years On The Run

A man who absconded from an open prison in Chichester in July 1999 has been recaptured and returned to prison.

Spencer White, now 39, from the Witterings area of Chichester, absconded from Ford Prison 16 years ago, after being sentenced to three years for kidnapping an adult.

Police stopped White at Lanzarote airport on September 19. He was detained after being recognised as wanted on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW). It is believed that he has been living in southern Ireland and was apparently intending to take a short holiday on the island.

He was extradited back to the UK on October 1 where he was charged with escaping lawful custody and appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court the following day. He was remanded in custody to appear at Chichester Crown Court on October 23 where he pleaded guilty, receiving an additional 16 months in prison, which will be served on top of the two years and four months remaining on his original sentence.

He has not been returned to HMP Ford.

PC Lewis Dines, from the team that leads the investigations into all absconders from HMP Ford, said: "Spencer White has been a priority to locate from the moment he absconded, but he evaded immediate capture and disappeared off of our radar.

"Within the last year we received information about his possible location and based on this, we were able to secure a European Arrest Warrant so that he could be arrested if found outside of the UK.

"I am delighted that after 16 years of evading authorities, he has been recaptured and returned to prison to serve out not only remainder of his original sentence, but an additional term as well.

"His capture and additional sentence send a message that we will not give up seeking absconders and when we put them back in front of the court they can expect further punishment."

(MH/JP)