Prisoner plots Cambridge hospital escape while in shower

Whitlock was one of two men who used a petrol bomb and other explosives to steal about £50,000 from cash machines across Essex and London. He was jailed for the offences in January 2022.

In August of that year, Cambridgeshire Police said he injured himself at Whitemoor prison and was taken to hospital for surgery.

Following the procedure, police said Whitlock asked to use the shower. He remained chained to an officer, who stayed outside the cubicle.

But while washing, he managed to use the taps to break from the chain. He then covered his hands with his gown, so the officer would not notice, and ran as the pair made their way back to his treatment bay.

He was chased for a short distance before being detained and taken back to prison.

Whitlock, who was previously from Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex, was given an additional consecutive sentence by a judge last week.

Det Con Emma Purser said: “Whitlock was very quickly detained after this escape attempt – only managing to get a few metres from the officers.

“I’m pleased that this foolish attempt to break from custody has resulted in his sentence being extended.”