A detainee who fled from Canberra Hospital's mental health unit has pleaded guilty to escaping custody.
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Ned Ian Barker, 26, was on the run for about 18 hours after he escaped from ACT Corrective Services staff at the hospital, where he was receiving treatment, last Tuesday afternoon.
Barker was captured after a member of the public found him in Braddon the next morning and phoned police.
Barker pleaded guilty to the escape, as well as minor theft and trespass, in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutors have not pursued two other charges of burglary and theft against him.
Magistrate Robert Cook ordered a forensic mental health report and pre-sentence report be prepared before the matter returned to court for sentence in July.
Barker indicated he would likely make an application for bail at a later date.
He was remanded in custody and marked a prisoner at risk.
The incident prompted ACT Corrective Services to launch an internal review into how Barker, who had spent five months in custody for several charges including theft, got away despite being accompanied by at least one corrections officer.
The ACT's new secure mental health facility is under construction and due to open later this year.
