Escapee's bid foiled

The inmate was hit by a car a few moments after he went on the run. He was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester for treatment.

The motorist collided with the prisoner at 12.50am on Sunday in Ford Road.

The police helicopter was scrambled to help in the search for the missing man but was not needed.

The prisoner, who has not been named, had walked out from the category D prison.

He is not believed to have been seriously hurt in the accident. There were 61 absconders from the prison in the year from April 2006.