A mob fixer who stopped a gangster terrorising football star Steven Gerrard was jailed for more than 14 years for his part in a robbery at a haulage firm.
But John Kinsella, 43, was not at Lincoln Crown Court to be sentenced after he went on the run on Monday, moments before he was found guilty of tying up a security guard and stealing £41,000 of Easter eggs, crisps and detergents.
During his trial, the jury had been read a letter from Paul Gerrard, the father of the 27-year-old Liverpool star, who said he had "total respect" for Kinsella after he stopped a gangster known as "The Psycho" from terrorising his son.
Judge John Machin jailed Kinsella for 13 years for the robbery, 12 months for dangerous driving after a police pursuit away from the scene of the robbery at speeds of up to 130mph, and three months for breaking his bail conditions by absconding from the court.
Sentencing Kinsella, Judge Machin said: "The planning was meticulous. It was focused on James Irlam's yard and particular vehicles in that yard.
"The plan included arrangements for the participants to be transported from Liverpool to Grantham and, having completed the robbery, to be transported back again. This was a highly professional undertaking."
Earlier the judge told the court: "Mr Kinsella has decided that to surrender to bail is an optional activity and has disappeared."
