JUSTICE bosses are refusing to release details of a security blunder which lead to a convicted killer escaping from court using his shoelace.

James Stevenson broke out of Swansea's Guildhall court complex and was on the run for more than a fortnight.

The escape prompted a massive manhunt, which cost South Wales Police more than £25,000 in overtime payments alone.

A investigation into the circumstances of the break-out has been carried out — but the Ministry of Justice is refusing to release details.

The Evening Post submitted a freedom of information request to see details of the report, but the ministry has said it would not be in the public interest to disclose it.

In refusing the request, the ministry said: "Disclosure could prejudice the ability of the department to investigate failings within prison establishments by revealing techniques used during such investigations.

"Disclosure could also reveal information into the public domain about procedural weaknesses within secure establishments, and knowledge of these weaknesses could be exploited to undermine their security and good order.

"It is essential that the department has the ability to investigate any potential weakness without undue public scrutiny, and to take remedial action where appropriate."

The statement goes on: "Disclosure could also directly prejudice the willingness of members of staff and others to participate in future investigations if they felt that their statements would be disclosed into the public domain."

Stevenson, from Caernarvon Way, Bonymaen, was on the run for 16 days before eventually handing himself in, fearful he would be caught — and possibly shot — by armed police.

He had been in the Guildhall court on October 2 last year for sentencing over a firearms offence. He was sent down for five years, but shortly after being led from the courtroom by guards from private security firm Reliance, he broke-out.

It emerged after his recapture that he had used a shoelace to open a spring-loaded latch on his cell door before using a fire extinguisher to smash bolts on another door. He then made good his escape by climbing over a 28ft razor-wire fence and getting onto a flat roof.

Stevenson was given two years for his break-out, in addition to his original five-year sentence.

October's escape was not the first time he had fled from custody.

In 2002, Stevenson had been sent to jail for the manslaughter of 46-year-old Paul Mainwaring at a flat in Gorseinon. He was given a five-year sentence for the killing, but he escaped from a prison in Devon in 2005.

The Post is to appeal against the Ministry of Justice's refusal to release details of the security breach.