Graeme Malcolm Page Baker’s ‘foolish’ jail escape lands more time behind bars

A prisoner who was arrested by police after making an “amateur” escape from the Townsville prison farm, has landed himself more time behind bars after he ran away with only two days left to serve.

Graeme Malcolm Page Baker will serve more jail time after he snuck out by crawling through the window of the low-security men’s farm.

A prisoner who was arrested by police after making an “amateur” escape from the Townsville prison farm, has landed himself more time behind bars after he ran away with only two days left to serve.

On December 28, 2019, Graeme Malcolm Page Baker snuck out by crawling through the window of the low-security men’s farm.

The court heard he escaped custody about 10.10pm that night, but was later arrested by police at 11.55pm wearing the same clothes that had been provided by the Townsville Correctional facility.

Police prosecutor Subarna Raut said the failed escape was a “foolish attempt”.

“It was an amateurish attempt … it certainly wasn’t well thought out,” he said.

Defence lawyer Tracy Brown said Baker only had two days left to serve before he would be lawfully released.

“Unfortunately it certainly was a very, very, bad decision and one that he acknowledged and struggles to come to grips with why he made that decision,” she said.

Ms Brown said Baker was motivated to escape after he was paid a visit by his former partner who told him his 19-year-old daughter was experiencing some problems.

“Much to his detriment its going to keep him away from his daughter for an extra length of time,” she said.

Baker pleaded guilty to one count of escape by persons in lawful custody and one count of receiving tainted property when he faced Townsville Magistrates Court via video link on Friday.

The court heard on March 5,2019, he received tablet computers when he had reason to believe it was tainted property.

Acting Magistrate John Smith said he needed to send a strong message to the community.

“It’s just a shame you didn’t give it some thought and you had weighed up the consequences of being with your 19-year-old daughter or what’s happened now,” Mr Smith said.

“We all make decisions and sometimes we look back and say we did the wrong thing.”

Baker was sentenced to six months imprisonment with a parole eligibility date set for March 23rd.

Originally published as Graeme Malcolm Page Baker’s ‘foolish’ jail escape lands more time behind bars