Sprowston inmate back in jail after being caught on trip to buy alcohol

Darren Fenn, who is serving an 11-year prison term for attacking a man with a hammer, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to escaping from custody on August 22.

The 43-year-old also admitted attempting to bring alcohol into the jail on the same date.

Fenn, who lived in Shipfield, Sprowston, is now in Norwich Prison as a result of the offences.

Judge Rupert Overbury adjourned sentencing until next month.

Although the details of the offences were not outlined in court, it is understood Fenn had been on a morning gardening detail in Hollesley Bay's grounds when it was noticed that he was absent. Staff began searching for him.

However, before police were able to put an appeal out for anyone who may have seen him, a worker at Hollesley Bay saw Fenn a short while later with a carrier bag and heard the clink of glass.

When the bag was opened two bottles of tequila and a bottle of Jack Daniel's are believed to have been inside.

Fenn, who has 50 convictions for 138 offences, was imprisoned by Norwich Crown Court in January 2013. Many of his previous offences were for dishonesty matters.

He carried out a hammer attack on another man with whom he had been feuding.

Fenn had been drinking before going round to the man's home in Shipfield, Sprowston and hit him over the head with a hammer

Norwich Crown Court heard Fenn later admitted that he could have killed him.

Fenn was arrested and told police he was sorry for what he had done.

The victim was treated for his injuries following the attack, but refused to co-operate with the police investigation.

Fenn admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for 11 years.

At the 2013 sentencing Judge Mark Lucraft said Fenn, who it was said did not normally drink alcohol, was extremely drunk when he carried out the attack, having consumed a bottle of vodka.

Michael Clare for Fenn, said the offence was 'out of character'.