A man who was jailed for using petrol bombs on cash machines has had his sentence extended after he made an audacious prison break attempt. 

James Whitlock, 39, and another man used a petrol bomb and other explosives to steal around £50,000 from cash machines across Essex and London, including in Wickford, Plaistow, Woodford Green and Brixton. 

Whitlock was jailed for 15 years in January 2022, but he has now had his sentence extended to 16 years after he admitted attempting to escape from lawful custody. 

After he sustained a neck wound at HMP Whitemoor, Whitlock was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. 

After surgery he asked to use the shower but remained chained to one of the officers who stood outside the shower cubicle. 

While he was inside the shower he used the taps to break the chain then covered his hands with his gown so the officer wouldn’t notice. 

Whitlock then made a run for it as they made their way back to his treatment bay. 

He was chased by the officer who managed to detain him and take him back to prison. 

Det Con Emma Purser, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary, said: “Whitlock was very quickly detained after this escape attempt – only managing to get a few metres from the officers. 

“I’m pleased that this foolish attempt to break from custody has resulted in his sentence being extended.”