Robber absconder returns to jail

A judge said Phillips's attack was "catastrophic" for his victim

A violent robber with 100 previous offences who absconded from an open prison has been returned to custody.

Andrew Clifford Phillips, 40, who is serving 11 years, failed to return to Prescoed in Monmouthshire 1 March.

When he absconded Conservative Monmouth MP David Davies questioned why Phillips, who was jailed in 2005, had been sent to the open jail so soon.

He called it a "disgrace" but the Ministry of Justice said it helped offenders reintegrate into society.

Gwent Police said on Thursday that Phillips, from Cardiff, had surrendered himself and has been returned to the prison authorities.

They said they took immediate action after being notified that Phillips had failed to return to Prescoed and their operational plan was activated.

Phillips was convicted of mugging a 50-year-old man in Cardiff Bay, who fell back onto the pavement and was left unable to walk.

The prosecution called it a "senseless attack" and the judge said it had a "catastrophic effect" on the victim.