Inmate who fled from prison and robbed a man is jailed for 12 years

Alexander Denny, 26, was already serving an indeterminate prison sentence for grievous bodily harm in Ford at the time of the incident on June 18, 2014.

He absconded for an hour during which time he approached the victim’s home in Ford Lane, Ford, at around 11.30am that morning.

Denny knocked on the front door before forcing his way in, attacking the 50-year-old owner with a metal object.

A small amount of cash and a watch were taken.

The victim was treated for cuts, bruises and shock at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

After the robbery, Denny went back into the prison and told staff he’d been in the library.

Forensics were able to identify him by DNA left on a dust mask at the scene, which he had taken from the engineering department that he worked in.

As well as 12 years in jail, Denny was also given a further five years on license.

Sadly the victim died a few months after the robbery from an unrelated illness and was unable to see Denny sentenced on Monday (June 29).

He was, however, represented by his widow in court, where her statement was read out describing how the robbery affected her late husband and herself.

Detective Sergeant Jason Vickers said: “The family are happy with the sentencing, which has reflected the seriousness of the incident and after a long time the family can now try to move forward. I would also like to thank the members of the public who came forward and assisted in the investigation.”