A woman who harboured a dangerous fugitive during a police manhunt has been sentenced.

Karen Prosser, 37, of The Drive, Walthamstow, pleaded guilty to hiding escaped mental health patient Cornell Destouche in her home at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, October 24.

Destouche, a psychiatric patient from the John Howard Centre, in Hackney, absconded on April 10 this year while on escorted leave in Walthamstow.

He was convicted of attempted murder at Snaresbrook Crown Court in July 2014, for stabbing a Police Community Support Officer. He was then detained under a mental health order.

The court heard how police attended Prosser's home address during the manhunt and showed her a photograph of Destouche, explaining he was wanted.

Prosser, an acquaintance of Destouche's mother, denied recognising him and was verbally abusive to the officers.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Cornell Destouche tried to kill a PCSO in 2014

On April 19, police attended her address and entered the property, where they found 25-year-old Destouche lying on a sofa under a duvet. He was returned to the facility without incident.

Prosser received an 18-month conditional discharge for hiding the escaped patient.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, Head of Public Protection at Hackney Police, said: "This was a wide-ranging and protracted enquiry involving a vast number of resources and extensive land, air and property searches.

"Our efforts were significantly disrupted by the actions of Prosser and stalled this dangerous man from being apprehended.

“We will always take robust action against any individual harbouring a criminal."