MOHAMED Ali, 23, of Lot 30 Albouys Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, earned himself a lesser jail term yesterday after he sang for Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.

The escaping from lawful custody offence, to which he pleaded guilty, carries three years imprisonment but, after the convict rendered a gospel song, he was sentenced to only nine months.

Ali admitted that, last December 5, while being in lawful confinement at the Georgetown Prison, he escaped.

Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the escapee was serving a one month sentence for fraud and had been working at the Guyana Prison Service Head Offfice, on Brickdam, also in the city, when he fled to freedom.

But Ali said he took some time to go to Brutal Tracks Recording Studio, where he was to record a gospel song.

He said, when he arrived at the location, the place was closed and, on his way back to the prison, an officer arrested and beat him.

Ali said he was not aware that the offence was such a serious one but he was very anxious to have his song recorded.

The magistrate then asked him to sing the song entitled ‘From this moment let Jesus set you free’.