A 23-year-old man who cut his way out of police lock-up seven years ago was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 months in prison for escaping custody.

Richard Hylton was told by Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey to consider himself lucky as she handed down the sentence.

Hylton's attorney, Peter Cham-pagnie, in his mitigation plea, told the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court that, during the seven years on the run, Hylton lived a lawful life. He told the court that Hylton, during his years of being a fugitive, fathered two children and started a small business which he used to sustain his family.

Hylton, who was 16 at the time of his escape from jail, was awaiting trial for murder, shooting with intent and robbery. Along with eight other men, he cut his way from the Gun Court Remand Centre on South Camp Road.

The fugitive had migrated from his home in Grants Pen Avenue, Kingston, to St. Thomas. He returned to Grants Pen Avenue last week to visit his mother's home, where he was held by police in a raid.