Burglar, 25, waiting to be charged walked out of city police station

Robert McNulty had spent half an hour sitting on a bench after being interviewed at Stainbeck Police Station in Leeds and decided to take a chance when the opportunity arose.

"He got up walked to the door in the full view of custody staff, pressed the buzzer and was let out of the custody area – it was hardly the Great Escape" his advocate Michael Miller told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

McNulty told officers later he knew he was going to be recalled to prison since he was already on licence from a previous sentence for burglary offences and wanted to see his partner before being locked up.

He was free for around four days before arranging to give himself up outside a friend's house in Beeston, Leeds.

McNulty, 25, was yesterday jailed for a total of three years after admitting burglary at a flat in Headingley, Leeds and the escape.

Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, said 2,000 worth of property, including laptops and games consoles, was stolen from a flat in Grosvenor Road, Headingley, while the occupant was away over Christmas.

He returned to find the lounge window smashed and the glass removed. Blood found on a door matched McNulty's DNA and he was arrested on January 12.

Mr Miller said McNulty was released on licence from a five-year sentence in July last year and initially did well, first living in a hostel and then later setting up home with his partner of some seven years and their young son.

He told the court that the couple had been the victims of a burglary and McNulty's partner no longer felt safe at their address and returned to live with her family.

McNulty was not welcome there and ended up homeless and, after missing an appointment, was left without benefits at Christmas, which motivated the burglary. His partner is expecting their second child in May this year.

Sentencing McNulty, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said it was clear from the reaction of his partner he knew the impact that burglaries had on people, but he would be given credit for his pleas.