Mark Rhodes, 40, was less than three years into a 10-year jail sentence when in a move a senior judge said left him “almost lost for words” he was moved to an open prison at HMP Kirkham.

Bolton Crown Court heard how after walking out of prison Rhodes went in to burgle people across the town, including retired people and families with young children.

Gwen Henshaw, prosecuting, said: “On August 13, 2025 Mr Rhodes was transferred to Kirkham, which is described as an open prison.”

Ms Henshaw said Rhodes, who’s criminal record includes burglaries, fraud, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and a previous escape, walked out of prison on December 16.

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

He then returned to Bolton where he burgled a house where a man and his seven-year-old son had been staying on Torrington Avenue, Halliwell on December 19.

Ms Henshaw told the court Rhodes, who watched on via video-link from prison, told the man “Sorry mate, wrong house” before fleeing.

On December 18, also on Torrington Avenue, a woman noticed that a spare tyre, Ugg gloves and a mobile charger had been taken from the glove compartment of her Audi.

Rhodes then went on to burgle a house on Bride Street, Halliwell on December 19 while the same night he was seen by a man trying his neighbour’s door on nearby Lomax Street.

That same night a retired woman, again on Lomax Street, was told that a man dressed in black had been seen trying her door.

Finally, Ms Henshaw said that Rhodes then tried to burglar another retired woman at assisted living accommodation on Hobart Road, Halliwell, still on December 19.

Ms Henshaw said the woman “looked up and saw a tall male come through the door” who she at first thought was her grandson but who then fled when she shouted out for her son.

A victim impact statement read out by the prosecutor set out the effect this had had on the retired woman and how “I believe I have the right to feel safe in my own home”.

Brought before the courts Rhodes, formerly of Romer Street, Tonge Fold, confessed to escape from lawful custody, theft, three counts of burglary and two counts of attempted burglary.

Andrew Costello, defending, said he had been representing Rhodes, who has 34 previous convictions for 103 offences, since 2002 when he had been a youth.

He said the 40-year-old had earned credit for his guilty plea and that he had struggled throughout his life with no positive role models or family to support him.

Mr Costello said Rhodes was “relatively institutionalised” but had completed course during his time in custody.

But the Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Nicholas Clarke KC said he was troubled by the decision to have put Rhodes in an open prison to begin with.

He said it was “astonishing that someone with such a prolific record” had been dealt with this way less than three years into a ten-year sentence.

Judge Clarke said: “Somebody decided it as a good idea to put him in an open prison.

“Unfortunately for those good people you’ve told me about who’s homes, cars and properties were invaded, they are the ones who have had to suffer for that decision.

“I am almost lost for words.”

Judge Clarke noted that Rhodes had a “sorry history” bit also that he had been involved in a previous attempt to escape from lawful custody in 2023.

He jailed Rhodes for 51 months, which will be added to the 10-year sentence he is already serving.

Judge Clarke told Rhodes he would “serve such a proportion depending on agreement between the government and the Home Office”.