CCTV catches crook sneaking back in to Townsville prison

A prisoner who left Townsville jail for a cigarette was caught on CCTV sneaking back inside after the fleeting moments of freedom.

PRISONERS who escaped Townsville prison to have a cigarette were caught on CCTV sneaking back into the facility after their fleeting moments of freedom.

Dylan Nigel Toby faced Townsville Magistrates Court from custody on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to a single charge of escaping lawful custody.

Prosecutor Jordan Theed said Toby was a prisoner serving a sentence at Townsville Correctional Centre when he and another prisoner “walked off” the low-security farm late on March 12 or early on March 13, 2021.

“They were observed by correctional officers outside the boundaries on CCTV footage and they were attempting to sneak back onto the farm prior to headcount,” he said.

“The defendant said … he had gone all the way out to the bus stop on the Bruce Highway prior to returning to the farm.

“He declined to be interviewed but said he had had some smokes.”

Following their apprehension Mr Theed said the pair were taken to the main prison building.

The Townsville Correctional Centre. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Staff are unsure how long the pair were gone, but Mr Theed said it was somewhere between 10 minutes and two hours.

“In a way he was trying to return and it wasn’t as if he was attempting to run,” he said.

“Nonetheless it is not for the defendant or anyone who is incarcerated to decide whether they can come and go freely.”

Defence lawyer Troydon Maltby described Toby’s eight-page criminal history as “concerning” but noted it did not contain other similar offending.

“He does not come before the court with clean hands, he does not come before the court in a good situation but he has been in custody now approaching … about 10 months,” he said.

Mr Maltby asked Magistrate Ken Taylor to impose a suspended sentence and consider the months-long delays plaguing the state’s parole system and estimated Toby would remain behind bars for a further seven months because of this.

In sentencing Mr Taylor said he took into account the early plea of guilty, parole delays and Toby’s criminal history.

“It is not up to you when you leave custody,” he said.

Toby was sentenced to three months custody with immediate parole eligibility.

His sentence will only begin after he serves out his current sentence.

A conviction was recorded.

Toby’s co-offender’s matter remains before the court.

Originally published as CCTV catches crook sneaking back in to Townsville prison