David Johnson: South Coast Correctional Centre escapee sentenced for fleeing prison

A convicted jailbird who flew the cage, leading to a wild 10-day manhunt across the NSW South Coast and into the nation’s capital, has been sentenced for the great escape. Here’s the latest.

David Johnson, 44, has been sentenced for his South Coast prison escape. Pictures: NSW Police

A convicted jailbird who flew the cage and led police on an “opportunistic” 10-day manhunt has seen his stay in the big house drastically extended during sentencing.

David Johnson, 44, was sentenced in Nowra Local Court on Tuesday to an additional 15 months behind bars – nine months without parole – pushing his release date beyond his initial potential freedom day of November 4 this year.

Johnson, who pleaded guilty to escaping lawful custody, was sentenced by magistrate Lisa Viney after breaking out of South Coast Correctional Centre’s minimum security wing on January 29.

The Nowra man also previously pleaded guilty to stealing a vehicle and larceny.

Agreed facts state Johnson fled the coastal facility by darting into bushes on prison grounds, before somehow leaving the jail and making his way to South Nowra’s industrial area.

David Johnson was sentenced in Nowra Local Court. Picture: File

It was here where Johnson happened upon an unattended plumber’s work ute with keys in the ignition.

Johnson made the “opportunistic” move to jump in the car and dart toward the ACT.

Police released CCTV images of Johnson during their 10-day hunt. Picture: NSW Police

Agreed facts state a major 10-day manhunt for Johnson followed, involving NSW Police, Polair, search dogs and correctional services, who combed Nowra’s CBD and surrounding bushland.

“You were on the run for some time,” Ms Viney said on Tuesday.

Johnson was finally caught on February 7, 200km away from South Coast Correctional Centre in the nation’s capital, when ACT Police received reports of a man acting suspicious near a Braddon apartment complex.

He was apprehended and taken to Queanbeyan police station, where he was hit with the charges.

Johnson was initially moved back to the coastal prison he managed to flee, however his lawyer, Georgia Campbell, submitted during sentencing “he did not get a warm welcome”.

“He has since been moved to Bathurst Correctional Centre,” she said.

Ms Viney labelled the case “extremely serious”, saying Johnson’s time on the run only aggravated matters.

However, Ms Campbell argued Johnson was remorseful, presenting an apology letter written by the jailbird, where he expressed his regret and cited how his “traumatic” upbringing had shaped him.

Despite this, Ms Viney said the case severity could not be ignored.

“Not only had you escaped, but you then stole a vehicle,” she said.

Johnson was convicted and sentenced to 15 months, commencing after his original non-parole period concludes on November 4.

He will be eligible for release in August 2026.

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