A CONVICTED drug dealer who walked out of jail has sentenced to a further a further six months in custody.

In May last year Lewis Sohail Johnson was sentenced to more than four years in prison.

A month earlier he had been involved in a high speed police chase whilst his three-week-old baby was in the car.

The 25-year-old, of Gray Street North, Bolton, crashed into three vehicles in Prestwich and threw £3,000 of cocaine into a bin before attempting to run away.

He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Bolton Crown Court heard that while in custody, Johnson impressed bosses at HMP Kirkham with his progress, but then on walked out of the open prison on July 2.

Nicola Gatto, defending said that, while in Fylde Coast jail, Johnson had heard that his three-year-old son had been suffering from blackouts and might have to see a paediatric specialist.

Wanting to make sure his son was all right, Johnson left custody, said Ms Gatto.

She added: "Before then, the defendant had been a model prisoner and had earned enhanced status.

"He had become a category D prisoner which meant he could be transferred to HMP Kirkham.

"There had been no disciplinary problems and his behaviour had been exemplary, but he was in a highly emotional state when he found out about his son's health."

Lindsay Thomas, prosecuting, said: "I have spoken to the defendant's supervisor at HMP Kirkham and he said the defendant had never made him aware of any issue regarding his son. That would be the correct route to go down."

Johnson was arrested the day after walking out of jail and fully cooperated with police, the court heard.

He admitted a charge of absconding from prison.

Sentencing him via a prison video link, Judge Graeme Smith said: "You have sought to elicit sympathy from me by citing the reason for leaving custody, and you have not succeeded.

"There is no good excuse for leaving custody and, what is more, you had to be hunted by police and arrested."

Ms Gatto added that Johnson has now lost his enhanced status at the prison and the right to go on a plastering course.

"Because of this, there has been a degree of punishment for his absconding," she said.