A prisoner who was 'at large' for eight days has turned up in Dorset.

Adam Clarke, aged 35, admitted to failing to return to prison at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

Clake, who is currently a serving prisoner at HMP Spring Hill in Aylesbury, was afforded day release on October 6 so he could maintain relations with his family.

However, Clarke failed to return and was at large for eight days before handing himself in to HMP Guys Marsh in Shaftesbury on Saturday.

He is due to be released in November 2019.

The court heard at 9am on October 6, Clarke was released from prison and instructed to take a taxi to Milton Keynes to have contact with his family.

However, Clarke was found in a private vehicle less than two hours later.

Subsequently his temporary release licence was withdrawn and he was recalled immediately to prison.

Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting said Clarke remained "at large for eight days" before handing himself in to HMP Guys Marsh.

Kenny Sharpe, mitigating, said: "[Clarke] tells me he responded to a family emergency. It was something he felt he needed to deal with. It was never his intention not to return."

Mr Sharpe until the incident, Clarke had been a 'model' prisoner who had responded well to prison discipline.

"This was his forth day release. If he had any intention of absconding he could have done it much earlier," Mr Sharpe said.

Clarke was handed a 28 day prison sentence to run concurrently with his existing sentence.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 to be paid on release.