A man has been jailed for nine years after persuading his probation officer lover to lie in court for him.
Thomas O'Rourke, 35, was living with Janet Mulligan, 33, in East Dulwich, south London, in 2002 when her evidence helped to clear him on affray and assault charges, the Old Bailey heard.
But then he used her car in a robbery and fled to Ireland while awaiting trial. He was extradited last year.
He admitted perverting the course of justice, a prison escape and robbery.
Mulligan lost her job at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court in south-east London and was jailed in 2002 for 30 months for perverting justice, perjury and handling stolen money.
The couple had an "intense" relationship, said prosecution solicitor Neil Moore.
'Still in love'
O'Rourke, who had 29 previous convictions, was held in 2001 after a fight in a pub in Brixton, south London, which left a woman injured.
He met Mulligan when she came to his cell while he was on remand, "befriended her and formed a relationship with her", Mr Moore told the court.
Mulligan gave evidence at his trial the following year, saying she had been in the pub and saw bouncers treating O'Rourke roughly.
She did not mention their relationship, and claimed it was a coincidence she recognised him in the first place.
O'Rourke was cleared on 7 January 2002, but eight days later he used her car as a getaway vehicle when he stole £5,000 from a security guard, the court heard.
He escaped from Brixton Prison by using scaffolding and then climbing over a wall.
Despite being in Ireland for seven years, O'Rourke said the relationship was continuing and "he still professes a great love for her", said Christopher Bertham, defending.
