The drug dealer who escaped from prison lived under his own name and paid taxes in the UK for NINE years

A prison escapee lived in public under his own name and paid taxes in Britain for nine years.

In a shocking indictment of the criminal justice system, 38-year-old drug dealer Robert Fitzgerald evaded capture for nearly a decade – despite making no attempt to hide his identity.

He was sentenced to seven years and four months for supplying cocaine and was transferred to HMP Ford in East Sussex for the final 18 months of his sentence before absconding on November 8, 2015.

Sussex Police launched a manhunt and public appeal at the time, but Fitzgerald was only arrested in August – despite having worked and paid taxes under his own name for years.

Investigators warned the public not to approach him, saying it was assumed he was traveling to London, where he had connections – but it emerged he had been living and working in Oxford.

The former fugitive admitted escaping from lawful custody at Oxford Crown Court on Friday and will be sentenced on October 8 after more information is gathered about his time on the run.

He told the court: “Since 2018 I have been working in my own name and paying taxes.”

A Sussex Police spokesman said when Fitzgerald initially disappeared they examined “all appropriate lines of inquiry” until the investigation was scaled back in 2016.

He came to the attention of tax authorities last December and police arrested him in August, the spokesman added.

Fitzgerald's lawyer Gordana Austin said: “Mr Fitzgerald is someone who has been at large for a significant period of time, almost nine years.”

“He lived and worked under his name at Oxford. He understands what kind of punishment he is likely to receive.”

Fitzgerald will serve the remainder of his original sentence for cocaine trafficking at HMP Bullingdon and is likely to receive an additional sentence on top of this sentence for escape.

Judge Nigel Daly admitted he was puzzled by the case, remarking: “Well, clearly, I'm going to need something about him, particularly what he's done over the last eight and a half years and why he's never been found. ” Now.

Fitzgerald was transferred to HMP Ford (pictured) in East Sussex for the final 18 months of his term before absconding in November 2015

“One of the things I have to take into account is his behavior in prison. “I know he was transferred to the open Ford prison and they don't send people there unless they're doing particularly well.

“You have pleaded guilty to this matter, which of course works in your favor, but you should be aware that it is almost inevitable that you will receive a custodial sentence, which will likely be added to your current sentence.”

“We're going to find out what you've been doing over the past few years and how you were doing in prison before you disappeared.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Escape from prison is a serious offense and Sussex Police, along with its partners, conducted an intensive investigation to locate this individual immediately following his escape in 2015.”

“All appropriate lines of inquiry were examined – including financial controls – and in 2016 the investigation was scaled back until new information came to light.”

“Efforts to locate this individual have been under constant review for several years. This included working with a range of authorities and police forces and assessing potential risks to the wider public.”

“In December 2023, the individual became aware of the tax authorities, who alerted Sussex Police.

“Attempts were made, along with our partners, to locate and take him into custody and he was ultimately arrested by Thames Valley Police in August 2024.”