AN escaped prisoner hit a man in the face with a claw hammer after stealing two cameras and a handbag.

Peter Hall helped to steal the items as he drank with friends in a pub while on the run from Kirkham Prison.

Outside, in a confrontation over the thefts, Hall hit another man in the face with a claw hammer causing a wound needing six stitches.

Yesterday Hall, aged 30, of Warrington Road, Leigh, appeared at Bolton Crown Court to be sentenced for unlawful wounding and three counts of theft.

The court was told Hall had escaped from prison and had gone to live with friends in Higher Green Lane, Astley.

The thefts came after the group went to the nearby Ross's Arms pub for a drink. While a woman distracted two victims in the pub, Hall made off with the cameras and handbag.

When the thefts were discovered the victims went outside and confronted the woman.

The argument over the thefts became heated and when Martin Hulme tried to intervene Hall hit him in the face with the hammer. Later, Hall returned one of the cameras and ran off. Police later found the second camera following a search of the area.

The next day they saw the loft access door had been moved and Hall was found hiding inside.

Geoff Whelan, defending, said Hall had the offer of a job at a garden centre, had stopped drinking heavily, had a stable relationship and had come off drugs.

Judge Bruce Macmillan said he had been impressed with Hall's determination and efforts to get his life in order.

He deferred sentence for six months and said he would not jail him if he stayed out of trouble.