MUM-OF-TWO Sonya Mottram helped to hide an escaped prisoner by booking him into a hotel.

The 25-year-old avoided an immediate prison sentence yesterday for the way she assisted former partner Sacha Markovic when he failed to return to Sudbury Prison after temporary leave in November.

Markovic, pictured above, was jailed for 10 years in 2005 for an armed raid at Fenton Post Office.

Magistrates heard Mottram first found out he was on the run from the open prison when police visited her home in Claytonwood Road, Trent Vale, looking for him.

The next day, she booked a room at The Plough Hotel, Stoke, in a fake name. Both were arrested there by police days later.

A staff member at the hotel told police Mottram booked a double room as a single person but acted suspiciously during the stay. On one day, she ordered two breakfasts from the restaurant.

Prosecutor Clair Moss said about the staff member: "She felt the female had been secretive throughout her stay, but she did not see anyone else in her room."

Mottram said in her police interview that Markovic had rung her to make sure she was okay and that she told him to hand himself in.

Mrs Moss added: "She said she knew Markovic should have been in prison or handed himself in, but she said she wanted to help him."

Scott Ashdown, defending, said: "Miss Mottram understood he had encountered problems with part of the criminal fraternity in Stoke-on-Trent and was concerned for his own safety.

"Rather than going back into the prison where he would have seen other offenders and felt at risk, he kept away from the prison.

"He provided money to Miss Mottram to book the hotel for his own safety."

Mottram pleaded guilty to assisting an escaped prisoner last month.

She accepted she booked the hotel room and that she spent some time in it.

Mottram also told police Markovic had promised to hand himself in. Mr Ashdown added: "Miss Mottram very much regrets becoming involved in the situation.

"She now realises her stupidity and naivety and the seriousness of the situation.

"She genuinely believed he would make good his promises and surrender himself to the police, but before that occurred, the police attended the hotel in question and the arrest was made."

The court was told Markovic was handed a sentence to run concurrent to the one he is currently serving.

Mottram was given a three-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

She was also given a supervision order for 12 months with a requirement to attend 16 sessions at Chepstow House, in Hanley, which aims to help women get their lives back on track.

No further action was taken against Mottram for also admitting breaching a conditional discharge for theft and failing to surrender to bail.

However, the conditional discharge, which was given for 18 months in May last year, will remain in force.

Mottram also must pay £250 towards costs at a rate of £10 a fortnight.