NSW: Police catch prison escapee

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-1999
NSW: Police catch prison escapee

A convicted kidnapper who escaped from custody after bashing two prison guards in Sydney's
west two days ago has been arrested.

Police say 21-year-old ANDREW SMITHERS has served three years of a five-year sentence for
abduction and breach of parole offences at John Morony Correctional Centre when he gave his
minders the slip on Sunday after undergoing medical tests at Nepean Hospital.

Two corrective services guards were escorting him to a waiting van in the Parker Street
carpark of the hospital around 2pm (AEST) when he escaped.

Police caught SMITHERS this morning and are interviewing him at Blacktown police station.

They expect to charge him later today.

AAP RTV km/tsm/msk

KEYWORD: ESCAPEE (SYDNEY)

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