A PROLIFIC car thief serving eight-and-a-half years in jail for a raid in which a farmer’s wife died spent three months on the run after absconding from an open prison, it emerged yesterday.

Tony Aaron Blair vowed to “live a lawful and productive”

life after apologising to the family of 68-year-old Rosemary Dove, who suffered a fatal heart attack while reporting him to police for stealing diesel from her farm, in Bishop Middleham, County Durham, in 2008.

But on Friday, the 25-yearold told Judge Richard Bray at Northampton Crown Court to “get f*****” as he was sentenced to three years for possessing criminal property and escaping from lawful custody.

Blair walked out of HMP Ford Open Prison, in West Sussex, on August 3 last year and just over a week later acquired an £18,000 Ford Ranger that had been stolen from Lower Lodge Farm, in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Alex Bull, prosecuting, said the police found him hiding at Brookmeadows traveller site, in Lubbenham, near Market Harborough, on December 23 and arrested him.

The stolen vehicle, which Blair claimed he had bought for £8,500, had false number plates attached.

Judge Bray said: “You simply walked out of an open prison and were then on the run for three months before you were caught with a stolen vehicle.”

As the judge passed sentence Blair, of Leeholme Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, asked to speak to the judge, but was told to talk to his barrister. It was then that he swore.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “When Sussex Police are notified of an absconder from Ford Open Prison, full details are taken and added to the Police National Computer (PNC).

“Regular checks are carried out at addresses where the offender is known to have lived or where they may have family or friends. The offender’s home, police force, and also any others where the offender is known to visit are also informed.

“A risk assessment is carried out on the absconder and if they are deemed a risk to the public then consideration is given to informing the public.

They remain on the PNC as wanted until they are found.”

Durham Police confirmed they had been alerted to Blair’s disappearance.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “Prisoners located in open conditions have been rigorously risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public.

“Over 96 per cent of prisoners who abscond are recaptured and returned to custody.

“On re-capture a prisoner will be returned to a closed prison and referred to the police for consideration for prosecution for having been unlawfully at large.”

Mrs Dove and her husband, Frank, discovered Blair helping himself to fuel at their farm on June 22, 2008.

Mr Dove pursued the thief while his wife of 47 years dialled 999. While speaking to police, she collapsed and died.

Mr Dove, helped by sons Michael and John and grandson Graham, who had joined him from their own farms nearby, pursued Blair across fields.

When he found himself cornered, Blair turned the silver Mitsubishi L200 he had stolen two days earlier around and drove at Michael Dove, who was on foot.

The 44-year-old was hit by the pick-up and knocked into a ditch, suffering a fractured hip and head and hand injuries.

He spent 12 days in hospital and ten weeks on crutches.

Blair escaped the scene, but was arrested on June 24.

He admitted causing grievous bodily harm, theft of the £17,500 Mitsubishi from Coundon Industrial Estate and theft of diesel. At the time, a string of other offences of stealing vehicles were taken into consideration.