resident $400 when he admitted the offence in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The court heard the prisoner, who had been at large for about a week last November, was found by Police on Eusi Wainwright's property.

The prisoner was 19-year-old Idrin Paynter who escaped from Prison Officers' custody while on a work release programme at St. Paul AME Church in Hamilton.

He had been serving time at the Co-Ed Facility at Ferry Reach.

Police created a special squad to find him.

Sgt. Rex Osborne, prosecuting, said on November 8 Police were alerted to the fact Paynter had escaped. Members of the special team got a warrant to search Wainwright's house on November 13.

Sgt. Osborne said Paynter was found in Wainwright's bedroom.

However, Wainwright said the prisoner had been hiding out in a shed on his property and not in his bedroom.

Wainwright added: "He had not been in the shed the whole time. He knew me before he was locked up and he knew about the vacant shed. I only knew he was there a day before the Police came -- he had come to my house and asked me for something to eat and drink.'' Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis said he would give Wainwright "the benefit of the doubt''.

But he added: "This is an offence of some gravity. Taking into account your age I will fine you $400.''