Prison escapee gets life sentence

Xie Wanli, who escaped from a prison by smashing through the gate with a crane in Baoding, Hebei province, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday, Yanzhao Metropolis Daiy reported yesterday. Baoding intermediate people's court said the 28-year-old Xie was convicted of escaping from prison and endangering public security.

His brother, Xie Wanchun and a friend, Zhao Yajun were convicted of harboring a criminal. They received prison sentences of three years and one year respectively.

Two years ago, Xie was sentenced to 18 years in prison for robbery and kidnapping.