Court hears corrections escapee Lawrence Daniels was weeks away from release before he escaped

A corrections escapee’s mad dash for freedom – moments before he was due to be ‘lawfully’ back in the community – has landed him back behind bars.

33-year-old Lawrence Daniels faced Alice Springs Local Court and pleaded guilty to one count of lawfully escaping custody.

A prisoner who made a dash for freedom while waiting for a transfer to an alcohol rehabilitation service was moments away from being “lawfully back in the community”, a court has heard.

Lawrence Daniels, 33, was back before Judge David Bamber in Alice Springs Local Court on August 26, facing one charge of escaping lawful custody.

After Daniels pleaded guilty, the court heard how he was left alone by corrections guards when he slipped away and escaped on August 9.

Police prosecutor Aram Ross said Daniels was due to be released into an alcohol rehabilitation service, and was “moments away from being lawfully back in the community” before he “ruined it for himself”.

“The defendant sat in the front office lobby for a short time before standing up, opening the office door and running away at 9.47am,” he said.

Daniels was found four days later in Gillen, Mr Ross said, and would have finished his sentence on September 26.

Daniels’ defence lawyer Luke Carr said his client “penalised himself” by escaping moments before he was due to attend the rehabilitation service.

“There was no premeditation,” Mr Carr said.

“He’s basically seen the door and made the run for it.”

Judge Bamber sentenced Daniels to one month in prison for his opportunistic dash out the door.

But as the hearing appeared to be over, Mr Carr threw a curveball.

With his client set to be released to attend alcohol rehabilitation, Mr Carr sought further clarification as to whether or not his client breached his suspended sentence.

In light of the query, Judge Bamber adjourned the matter to August 27, remanding Daniels in custody.