Wellington, Feb 18 NZPA - Escaped prisoner Piripi Wiremu Raroa's week on the run today cost him an extra three months in jail.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to the escape charge when he appeared before Judge Raoul Neave in Christchurch District Court.

He walked off from a Christchurch cycle firm on February where he worked on day release towards the end of a jail term imposed for a series of offences including attempting to defeat the course of justice, Christchurch Court News website reported.

He was found at a house in Woodham Road, Linwood, on February 10 and caught by the police after a brief chase on foot.

Defence counsel Craig Fletcher said Raroa had been "almost a model prisoner" and the escape would set back his appearance before the Parole Board which was due in October.

He had made the spur of the moment decision to leave the premises that morning after being told that his employment was to end.

Judge Neave added three months to the current jail term, telling Raroa that his spur of the moment decision had fairly serious consequences.

But he noted there was no suggestion of offending while Raroa was at large.

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