THE convicted murderer of a New Addington teenager who went on the run from a mental health unit said his escape had been the "best three months of my life".
Lerone Boye, 28, of no fixed address, absconded from the John Howard Centre last October while serving 28 years for the murder of Kelvin Chibueze, 17, in Ilford in 2011.
He was found on January 21 this year hiding under a bed in Chigwell, Essex, and pleaded guilty to being unlawfully at large on Wednesday (July 16) at Snaresbrook Crown Court as his trial began.
When asked by officers if his escape had been worth it, Boye replied: "Best three months of my life."
Dean Ablakwa, 29, of Enfield, a social therapist at the John Howard Centre, in Homerton, was acquitted of conspiracy to assist an offender escape from lawful custody.
On October 16 Mr Ablakwa was asked to escort another patient to reception for approved unescorted community leave but took Boye at the same time without asking permission or alerting more senior staff.
When in the airlock area near the door, Boye appeared to bend down as the other patient legitimately signed himself out before Boye pushed the patient away and made his escape.
Boye had been part of a group who stabbed and chased Kelvin as a fight broke out outside a club in Ilford, leaving him to die in a car park after he collapsed.
Boye will be sentenced at a later date.
