A PRISONER who escaped from a Worcestershire jail was given a further six-month sentence alongside his life term today.

Alan Giles, aged 56, absconded from an open part of HMP Hewell in Redditch on October 28 last year.

Following a massive police manhunt he was discovered and arrested in Alcester on November 6 after trying to flee down an alley.

Giles, formerly from Oldbury, admitted escaping from custody and was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court today.

He escaped while serving two life sentences for the kidnap and murder of 16-year-old Quinton student Kevin Ricketts in 1995, for which he was jailed in 1997.

Detective Inspector Stephen Tonks of West Mercia Police said: “During the nine days or so that Giles was missing there was a great deal of concern in the community, particularly in North Worcestershire where the prison is and in Warwickshire where most of the sightings were.

“In particular praise needs to go to the two officers who caught Giles and this case is an excellent example of the valued contribution that Specials make. An off-duty Police Community Support Officer who cycled in from home to join the search after a member of the public knocked on his door also deserves to be singled out for his dedication to duty.”