Police hunting for an escaped prisoner smashed their way into his sister's Borehamwood flat when she told them he was not there, a court heard on Monday.

Officers searching for John Warth, aged 19, who had escaped from Hollesley Bay prison in Suffolk, turned up at his sister Hailey's home in Thirsk Road on January 17.

Prosecutor Laura Blackband told St Albans Crown Court that Hailey Warth shouted at the officers: "Go away. We are not opening the door. He is not here."

The police then forced their way in and mistakenly arrested her boyfriend, Carl Fuller.

However, they realised their error when Mr Fuller kissed Miss Warth goodbye. The officers eventually found John Warth in a bedroom.

Hailey Warth, now of Anglesea Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to harbouring an escaped prisoner.

Defence barrister Philip Noble said her brother had only stayed with her for three days.

Miss Warth believed her family were taking steps to make sure he was arrested. "She did not feel able to turn him away from her flat," he said.

Judge Seddon Cripps placed Miss Warth under a five-month curfew order, warning her that if she came back before the court she would go to prison.

October 2, 2002 16:00