Matthew Furner was sentenced to 18 months in prison with a non-parole period of six months when he fronted Judge Wells in the Port Macquarie District Court on Wednesday, August 12.

The jail term will commence when his current sentence expires on January 30, 2021.

Furner, now aged 29, was convicted on a string of charges relating to his escape from custody while on a visit to the Port Macquarie Base Hospital in August 2019.

He was also convicted of, assaulting officers, common assault; taking a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner; two counts of larceny and entering enclosed lands, driving dangerously during a police pursuit; driving recklessly in a manner dangerous; driving while disqualified; and driving a car with false number plates.

Furner appeared via audio visual link for the sentencing hearing.

Court documents tabled at the hearing reveal the extent of Furner's remorse.

"I'd done the most stupid thing in my life. I don't know why I did that," he said in the documents.

"I think about it and kick myself for doing that.

"I feel so sorry for what I did."

The court also noted that Mr Furner's criminal record is "very poor".

"He has previous convictions for driving and police pursuit offences," the court documents revealed.

"Conversely, nothwithstanding his extensive criminal record, there are no offences akin to escape lawful custody.

"The court could therefore infer that the offence of escape lawful custody was out of character and an aberration.

"It strengthens the offender's contention that the offending was a product of his disordered mental state."

Further details showing that Mr Furner experienced a "deprived upbringing", also formed part of the court documents.

The court documents also point to Furner suffering from a range of disorders including, borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder with recurrent episodes and cannabis, opiate and stimulant use disorders.

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