A convicted armed robber was found in a hotel 10 days after leaving jail to see his son.
James Geraghty absconded from open prison HMP Thorn Cross on July 17, after hearing that his eight-year-old son was having an operation, the Nightingale court at the University of Bolton Stadium heard.
The 33-year-old was found to be missing when prison officers completed their roll call at 8pm that evening.
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He was found with his girlfriend and her son at the Bay Horse Hotel, Ashton-in-Makerfield, on July 27.
Geraghty was serving two separate sentences, totalling more than nine years, after being convicted of armed robbery and other offences in 2017 and 2019, prosecution barrister Julian King told the court.
After being arrested at the hotel, Geraghty pleaded guilty to being a temporarily released prisoner unlawfully at large.
Defending, Nicola Carroll said: “The defendant heard his son was poorly and had booked in for operation, which caused him concern.
“He is remorseful and knows it was a very stupid and foolish thing to do.”
Ms Carroll described Mr Geraghty as a ‘model prisoner’, who paints and decorates the prison wings.
She added that he was going to hand himself in the day after he was found and had booked the hotel to say his goodbyes.
Geraghty, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a further six months.
Recorder Andrew Long, the sentencing judge, said: “You have a very poor record.
“You know that all offences of absconding will attract an immediate additional custodial sentence.”
