An escaped prisoner led a 15-hour standoff on the roof of his girlfriend’s house in which he threw tiles at passers-by, a court heard.

David Osbaldeston, from Accrington, absconded from Royal Lancaster Hospital after escaping his prison officer escort during a medical appointment.

He went to his girlfriend’s house on Dunnyshop Avenue where he was located the next day by police.

The 20-year-old then made his way onto the roof with an ‘ASP’ police baton and hurled tiles at passers-by, Preston Crown Court heard.

Osbaldeston, who was serving 35 months in a young offenders institute, was due to be released next year but is now facing being locked up for longer. He pleaded guilty to escaping custody and affray.

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, told the court: “The defendant escaped from custody while attending a hospital appointment.

“He is then located at his girlfriend’s house by police a few days later. When he’s located he goes through the roof space and there’s a stand-off.” Mrs Kehoe told the court a charge of possession of an offensive weapon, which Osbaldeston had denied, had been dropped because the defendant said the baton came from within the house. 

Osbaldeston escaped custody on August 17 and was detained at the house two days later following negotiations with the police.

Mark Stuart, defending, said it was in the defendant's best interest to wait for a medical report before being sentenced. He said: “He knows he will get a custody sentence because there’s nothing else the judge can pass. Having spoken to him he tells me that he’s had some mental health difficulties in the past.  He’s had a change of medication and he’s now far better.”

The case was adjourned for sentence at Preston Crown Court on Friday, October 4.