Prisoner scaled walls over broken release date 'promise'

A prisoner climbed the walls of an open prison and fled, claiming a promise of being released.

- by Nick Frame

John Eastman was later found hiding under the bed at his girlfriend's house in Castleford a day later. The 43-year-old had been serving time at HMP Kirkham, near Blackpool, for multiple breaches of a criminal behaviour order (CBO) and shop thefts.

But, on June 11 this year, he went missing from the Category D prison. Staff were alerted about an hour later, Leeds Crown Court heard. CCTV cameras were checked and showed Eastman approaching the perimeter fence and climbing over it.