Trent Jennings. Picture: NSW Police Source: Supplied
SEX-GAME killer Trent Jennings had enough and "wanted out" of the mental-health facility he had been held in for over five years when he tied up a man and went on the run in a stolen car, a court heard this morning.
The 27-year-old was being held indefinitely in a hospital near Newcastle for a 2003 killing when he escaped while on day release in December 2011.
Shortly before going on the run he tied up Richard Foster, 50, who he met on a gay website, stealing the older man's Mercedes-Benz and wallet then leading police on a five-day manhunt.
He had obtained a passport while at the facility and left a note saying he would "be in Bali", but he was eventually caught and later pleaded guilty to the thefts.
His lawyer Rosslyn Mayne this morning told the District Court that Jennings was no longer on medication or being treated for any mental-health issues.
She said he was "not seeing any light at the end of the tunnel" after years in hospital care when he tied up Mr Foster and escaped.
"(Jennings) effectively lays a minefield for himself and then walks in it - it is a really self-destructive act," she said.
Mr Foster had agreed to be bound as part of a bondage game, but was left helpless for hours when Jennings fled his inner-city unit, the court heard.
Ms Mayne said Jennings had demonstrated remorse for his actions, sending an apology letter to his victim from jail - although she accepted the note may not have been welcomed.
Mr Foster previously told the Daily Telegraph he was "freaked out" by the letter, in which Jennings wrote: "You're a lovely person and I took advantage of that."
Judge Peter Maiden said Jennings had breached authorities' trust when he exploited his day-release privileges and his crimes against Mr Foster were serious.
"He had enough (of hospital), he had a plan, he got out and he ran," he said.
Jennings was ordered into psychiatric care in 2005 after he was found not guilty of murdering Giuseppe Vitale, 32, on grounds of mental illness.
The then 18-year-old bound Mr Vitale's limbs with rope during a casual-sex meeting and stabbed him in the neck, causing fatal wounds.
Jennings remains in custody and will be sentenced tomorrow.
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