A murderer on the run after walking out of prison was re-captured when a drunk friend took him to a McDonald's drive-thru.

Thomas Parkinson, 32, fled the scene of Southport's Ocean Plaza when police were called following a report of a customer drink driving at around 1am on May 12.

Parkinson was then caught hiding behind a wall.

The 32-year-old, who absconded from Kirkham open prison 17 days earlier, has now been sentenced to four months after admitting absconding.

Parkinson was jailed in April 2007 after being convicted of murder. He stabbed 23-year-old Shaun Higgins in the back after gatecrashing a house party in Preston.

Liverpool Crown Court

He was given a minimum term of 12 years and was transferred to Kirkham on September 5 last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard prison officials discovered Parkinson had escaped, after apparently climbing out of a window at around 8.30am on April 25.

Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, told the court: "Officers attended and saw a black Ford Fiesta parked in a bay.

"As they approached, a rear seat passenger exited and ran away. Officers pursued him and found him hiding behind a wall.

"He initially refused to provide his details and then did not provide correct details, but was eventually identified as the defendant."

When interviewed, Parkinson said he left the prison on April 24 by walking out of a fire door and had since been sleeping in a tent at numerous locations in Merseyside.

“He said he walked out due to threats to him while in prison," Miss Nemat continued.

"He would not disclose whom made them."

Parkinson, formerly of Acacia Road, Ribbleton, Preston, has 22 convictions for 35 offences.


Michael Bagley, defending, said Parkinson had been 'making good progress' in prison and  had been given a Category D ranking, but since his escape he has been re-categorised.

Mr Bagley told the court: "He may have to start the process again and be interviewed by the Parole Board, but hopes to regain his Category D status again soon."

Mr Bagley said 'impatience' was to blame for the offence, as Parkinson was due for home release, but it had not yet happened and he heard that his dad was losing weight and was not well.

“He simply lost patience. He did not tell his family that he had gone without authority.”

Judge Stuart Driver, QC, said: “No one should take the message that you are going to be released after half the sentence because your release from the life sentence is some way off in the future."