A prison escapee who stole a car from a nearby renovation site before driving erratically through Hobart told police his plan was to go into hiding in a cave system.
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Michael Douglas Westbrook, 36, had been in jail for about two weeks on driving offences when he planned his escape from Risdon Prison.
On the morning of September 16, 2021, he poured disinfectant throughout his cell and over personal items to ensure sniffer dogs couldn't track his scent.
He put on high-visibility clothing and went into the prison gardens, falsely telling a correctional officer he was part of a horticultural class.
When he was told to leave the garden, he went to another part and climbed onto the roof of the old prison hospital and escaped over barbed wire.
Westbrook ran through bushland, stealing a Ford Ranger from a house renovation site before driving through a back fence and onto a highway.
He was spotted speeding and driving erratically over some 15km before being cornered by several police cars after his tyres were taken out by road spikes.
He had earlier reversed into a police officer, who escaped with minor injuries, and narrowly missed another officer on a highway.
In a subsequent interview, Westbrook told police he had been getting a hard time from other prisoners.
"(You said your) plan was to be shot or escape to Mole Creek Caves and go into hiding there," Justice Alan Blow said during sentencing in the Supreme Court of Tasmania in Hobart on Wednesday.
Westbrook had pleaded guilty to escape and dangerous driving, as well as other charges including stealing and destroying property.
Justice Blow said Westbrook's mental health had deteriorated in the years and months leading up to the escape and he was suffering depression and disturbing dreams.
Westbrook had benefited greatly from anti-depressants and an enforced absence from alcohol and drugs.
"He regrets all that he did on the day of his escape," Justice Blow said.
Westbrook was sentenced to two months' jail for evading police with a non-parole period of one month.
For the other charges he was sentenced to two years and eight months jail with a non-parole period of 16 months.
With his sentence being backdated for time already spent in custody, Westbrook is eligible for parole next week, Justice Blow said.
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Australian Associated Press
