A prisoner who was sprung from custody by his girlfriend last year knew nothing of the plan and had faced an almost biblical level of temptation to go with her, the ACT Magistrates Court has heard.
Kane Quinn, 30, pleaded guilty to escaping Canberra's jail after he got into a stolen car driven by 29-year-old Lila Walto and went on the run for several hours.
The incident sparked a city-wide hunt for the pair, who were later found in a house in the inner suburb of Lyneham.
Walto was sentenced earlier this year to six years and eight months imprisonment, after she stole a four-wheel-drive from a dealership and used it to ram the car being used to take Quinn from jail to a medical appointment.
During a sentencing hearing today, Quinn's lawyer Stephen Robinson told the court he was not privy to the plan.
"This was an entirely opportunistic escape," he said.
"The offender had no idea of Ms Walto's plans."
Mr Robinson pointed out that Quinn had initially tried to run away because he feared someone was after him, but jumped in the car when Walto called to him.
Magistrate Louise Taylor responded, suggesting he could have refused to go with her.
"He could have got into the car and said to Ms Walto: 'What are you doing?' He certainly took advantage of it."
Mr Robinson said it was a split-second decision.
"He was presented with an almost biblical level of temptation, which he gave in to," he said.
Prosecutor Margaret Smith told the court she accepted Quinn had not known of the plan until Walto yelled out to him.
But she said the escape was a serious matter because it interfered with the administration of justice.
Quinn will be sentenced in November.
