IT might almost be a romantic story: man serving prison sentence absconds to be at the birth of his child.

Sadly for David Roberts, of York, his unscheduled departure from an open prison near Wetherby does not have a rosy ending.

True, his partner did give birth and he is now a proud father. But Mr Roberts was caught by police while out shopping for a pram. So he is due a different sort of paternity leave, back in prison where he will have to complete his sentence, with extra time added for the new offences.

Sometimes it's tough being a dad.

Updated: 11:04 Thursday, August 07, 2003