AN investigation has been called for into an ‘appalling’ security blunder which allowed a violent criminal to be housed at an open prison near Burton – and saw him promptly escape.
David Patmore had his security status downgraded to allow him to reside at HMP Sudbury despite him once fleeing from court and being sentenced to 16 years in prison for a violent robbery.
He walked out of the Category D prison in Derbyshire on April Fools’ Day this year, sparking a massive manhunt which eventually saw the 26-year-old arrested three months later after a rooftop siege in Bury involving armed police, negotiators and a helicopter.
Details emerged at Manchester Crown Court this week as Patmore had a further 21 months added to the remainder of his 16-year sentence when he admitted escaping custody.
After the court case Manchester MP Graham Stringer called on prisons minister Kenneth Clarke for a full investigation into what he called an ‘appalling’ blunder which allowed Patmore to be at HMP Sudbury.
Patmore (pictured) was jailed in 2004 after admitting a string of armed robberies with the court being told he was a key member of a gang which terrorised north Manchester with knives, guns and machetes.
A year earlier he had dramatically jumped out of the dock at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester and fled before he was sentenced. He was given the 16-year sentence when he was recaptured.
Earlier this year he was reduced to a minimum risk Category D prisoner and sent to HMP Sudbury and the court heard that on April 1 he walked out of the gates despite not being eligible for day release.
Security at Manchester Crown Court was increased for Patmore’s appearance with nine police officers guarding the court room and armed officers stationed around the court building.
A spokesman for the prison service would not comment on the specific case but explained how prisoners came to be in open conditions.
He said: “Prisoners are rigorously risk assessed and categorised as being of low risk to the public before being placed in open conditions.
“Prisoners are placed in open prisons to find work, re-establish family ties, safely reintegrate into the community and address housing needs. For long-term prisoners these are essential components for successful resettlement and an important factor in protecting the public.
“Only prisoners classified as suitable for open conditions, the lowest security category, and thus assessed as representing minimal risk of escape or risk of harm to the public, are eligible.
“A prisoner can only be categorised as suitable for open conditions following a thorough risk assessment.”
