A court escapee was back in the dock this week along with the two men who helped him while he was 'on the run'.

Lewis Guess bolted from Canterbury Crown Court on April 4 as a judge was midway through imposing a 15-month jail term for burglary.

Having feigned illness, the 26-year-old leapt over the dock, ran out of the courtroom and past security, and onto the street outside the Chaucer Road building.

Despite a police 'Wanted' appeal, he remained at large for six days and with the assistance of Matthew Guess and Billy Barfoot.

All three have appeared at the same court on Tuesday - but this time in a dock with heightened security measures.

Guess was also dressed in a bright blue and yellow prison-regulation 'escape' jumpsuit.

He pleaded guilty to an offence of escape, with Matthew Guess, 45, and Barfoot, 38, both admitting offences of assisting an offender with intent to impede his apprehension.

The court heard Matthew Guess, of Chandos Square, Broadstairs, purchased a new SIM card and arranged transport, food and housing.

Barfoot, of Reculver Road, Herne Bay, helped with transport and housing.

Judge Simon James told all three that they will be sentenced on July 26.

As Lewis Guess, also of Chandos Square, was remanded back into custody, he waved at supporters sitting in the public gallery, telling one: “I love you, bruv.”

He also appeared to direct an apology to Barfoot when he was heard to say: "Sorry Bill."

Lewis Guess, a convicted burglar, was being sentenced by Judge Simon Taylor KC when he made his dash for freedom last month.

Having been warned he was going to prison, he complained he felt unwell.

He then asked for a glass of water and, with the dock officer distracted, jumped over the dock railing and out the door.

During the melee, Guess, who had been on bail ahead of the hearing, knocked a jug of water over a Crown Prosecution Service representative.

The alarm was quickly raised but he was able to flee the building and area, with an apparent sighting later that day at a nearby train station.

Despite the crook's sudden and unexpected disappearance, however, Judge Taylor reconvened the court, completed the sentencing - and promptly issued a warrant for Guess's arrest.

Kent Police circulated him as being wanted the following day before finally arresting him at a property in Herne Bay on April 10.

Judge James ordered pre-sentence reports for Matthew Guess and Barfoot, who were both released on bail.

Phil Rowley, defending Lewis Guess, told the court his earliest possible release date on the burglary offence was October 20.