A 19-year-old from west Suffolk appeared before magistrates in Ipswich today charged with harbouring an escaped Hollesley Bay prisoner.

Amy Hart, of Northumberland Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, denied allowing convicted robber Stuart Guildea to stay at her home for over a month last year.

Guildea had been serving a sentence of 12 years and 18 days for robbery, theft and burglary at the open prison but failed to turn up for a roll call on October 12, 2016.

Police put out an appeal for help – warning members of the public not to approach him but to call 999 instead.

Hart appeared in court today accused of harbouring Guildea from October 12 last year.

It is alleged that she knowingly allowed him to stay for almost a month until November 11.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted unconditional bail.

The 19-year-old will next appear at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court for a trial on September 2.