Category Archives: Absconds
Robber on the run
Police are hunting for a prisoner who has absconded from prison and carried out a string of robberies, including in the South West.
Lyndon Stein, 49, has robbed travel agents and building societies in Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Oxford in the past three weeks.
Stein absconded on April 29 from HMP Spring Hill, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, which is a Category D open prison.
The following day he committed a robbery at a hair salon.
On May 5 Stein struck again, this time at Thomas Cook in Clifton, Bristol, before making his way to Gloucester where he targeted the Leeds and Holbrook building society on May 7.
A further robbery occurred at around 2.30pm on Thursday May 9 in Bristol.
Stein entered the Britannia building society in Fishponds and made off with a substantial amount of money.
He then made his way to Warrington on May 15 targeting a Lloyds TSB branch and Thomas Cook in Makerfield, Cheshire.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman: “This week alone he has struck at Santander in Gloucestershire on Saturday and Thomas Cook on the High Street in Kingswood shortly after 4pm last night.
“His crime spree is thought to have totalled thousands of pounds.
“We’d now like to speak to Stein or anyone who knows where he is.”
He is described as white, stocky and normally carries a plastic carrier bag when committing offences.
IPP Prisoner Absconds
Derbyshire Police is keen to track a man who failed to return to prison after being released on temporary licence.
Officers are trying to locate 29-year-old Andrew James Birchall, who failed to return to HMP Sudbury on Saturday, May 4 following release on temporary licence.
He was given an indeterminate sentence for robbery and burglary offences at Manchester Minshill Street Crown Court in 2009.
Birchall is white, 5ft 10in, medium build and has brown hair.
He has connections in Manchester and in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester.
Anyone with any information about where Birchall is should contact their local police force or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Huhne moved to Leyhill – “in some ways a harder prison than Wandsworth”
Chris Huhne: moved to HMP leyhill
Disgraced former MP Chris Huhne has been moved to a comfortable open prison after spending seven days in a tough London jail, it has been reported.
The ex-Liberal Democrat Cabinet minister was jailed earlier this month after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice for asking his wife to take speeding points for him in 2003.
The 58-year-old served his first week at HMP Wandsworth, in south London, but has now been moved to HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire for the remainder of his eight month term, The Sun has reported.
Mark Leech, editor of Converse the national newspaper for prisoners in England and Wales who has served time at Leyhill said in some ways it is harder at an open prison than a closed one.
“In an open prison you have to be your own jailer, and often that can be difficult because there is always a temptation to abscond.
“Huhne was always going to an open prison, it was just a matter of time and he will find Leyhill a lot more pleasant than Wandsworth – he is now eligible for outside work, town visits and even home leave – he will be out in about six weeks anyway.”
HMP Leyhill, which has farms and gardens in its grounds, offers a number of courses and employment opportunities for prisoners, such as making door and window frames and prison furniture.
On March 15 Huhne’s ex-wife was moved to a “pleasant” open jail after spending only four nights in Holloway prison, according to reports.
Vicky Pryce, 60, was jailed for eight months after a jury found her guilty of perverting the course of justice.
Economist Pryce was convicted following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court after a jury disagreed with her defence of marital coercion.
The mother-of-five was transferred from notorious Holloway prison in north London to East Sutton Park prison in Maidstone, Kent, it was reported.
The category D jail is described on the MoJ website as “a pleasant mansion house overlooking the Weald of Kent”.
An MoJ spokesman has previously said it will not comment on individual prisoners or where they are held.
Jailing the pair, Mr Justice Sweeney said Huhne had fallen from a “great height” and Pryce from a “considerable height”.
Murderer Missing From Pryce Jail
A life-sentence prisoner has sparked a police appeal after failing to return to the same Kent open jail reportedly housing the ex-wife of shamed former Cabinet minister Chris Huhne.
Clare Barstow, above, 52, was released on temporary licence from HMP East Sutton Park, near Maidstone, Kent, on March 15 to attend a work appointment.
But she failed to return later that day to the Category Dprison where Vicky Pryce, 60, is said to be held after being jailed for eight months for taking speeding points for Huhne in 2003.
Kent Police have made a public appeal for information on Barstow’s whereabouts.
Converse sources say Barstow was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 1992 after being convicted of murdering disabled woman Kathy O’Neill, found with 55 stab wounds at her home in Shepherds Bush, London. She has also brought several legal cases against the prison authorities, most notably a claim she won while at the infamous H Wing in Durham prison claiming female lifers received less favourable education access than male lifers.
HMP East Sutton Park is described on the Ministry of Justice’s website as “a pleasant mansion house overlooking the Weald of Kent”.
“It holds both adult and young offender women in open conditions preparing them for resettlement in the community,” the website adds.
East Sutton Park’s regime includes “provision of farms, gardens, catering and training courses, physical education”.
Economist Pryce was convicted of perverting the course of justice following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court after a jury disagreed with her defence of marital coercion.
Huhne, 58, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial last month after denying perverting the course of justice for nearly two years.
Jailing the pair, Mr Justice Sweeney said Huhne had fallen from a “great height” and mother-of-five Pryce from a “considerable height”.
Anyone with information about Barstow is asked to call Kent Police on 101.
Abscond Lifer Captured In Manchester
Police have arrested a convicted murderer in Manchester after he fled prison while on day release.
Brian Lynch, 44, was held just before 5am on Tuesday at an address in the Gorton area of the city.
A woman, 40, who was also at the address was arrested on suspicion of harbouring an escaped prisoner.
Lynch fled from Preston city centre last Thursday afternoon while on a day trip from nearby HMP Kirkham.
He was jailed in 1988 for the killing of 21-year-old Chi Yeung Yip in Clayton, Manchester.
A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: “Absconded prisoner Brian Lynch was arrested in the early hours of this morning at an address in the Gorton area of Manchester.
“A 40-year-old woman has been arrested for harbouring an escaped prisoner and both are currently in police custody in Manchester.
“Lynch will be charged with absconding and will be sent back to prison.”
Lynch has been charged with escaping from custody and will appear before Preston magistrates on Wednesday, said a police spokesman.
The woman held on suspicion of harbouring an escaped prisoner has been released on bail until next month pending further inquiries.
Lifer On ROTL Absconds
A prisoner serving a life sentence for murder in Manchester is on the run after he disappeared while on ROTL – Release On Temporary Licence – or Day Release.
Brian Lynch, 44, has not been seen since 3pm on Thursday when he went missing in Preston city centre.
He was jailed in 1988 for the killing of 21-year-old Chi Yeung Yip in Clayton, Manchester.
Lynch was moved last December to serve the remainder of his sentence at HMP Kirkham, in Lancashire.
Detective Inspector Jon Clegg said: “We do not believe that Lynch is a risk to the public but we are nevertheless very keen to trace him and return him to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
“Although he could still be in Lancashire, there is a possibility he may travelled back to the Greater Manchester area and so we would ask the public to be vigilant and report any sightings to the police – any details the public may have could be crucial.”
Lynch is described as 5ft, stocky, with blue eyes, short, cropped ginger hair and an unshaven complexion. He was wearing black trousers, a black jacket and dirty grey suede and leather trainers.
Mark Leech editor of Converse the national newspaper for prisoners in England and Wales said it was important that this abscond is not allowed to damage the principle of day release.
“Testing life sentence prisoners in conditions of trust, such as on day release here, is a fundamental part of the long term sentence release process, as we have seen in this case it sometimes proves that a particular prisoner is not yet ready for release on life licence and its vital this abscond is not allowed to damage that testing process or the principle of it.”
HUNDREDS ABSCOND FROM OPEN PRISONS
Hundreds of inmates abscond from open prisons every year, including murderers, robbers and rapists, according to Government figures.
A total of 679 prisoners have fled open prisons or disappeared while on day release in the last three years, the Ministry of Justice said.
Among the offenders were 149 robbers, 36 murderers, five rapists, six arsonists and a number of violent attackers.
However, the latest figures for 2011/2012 show a drop in the number of absconders, down to 175, from 235 in 2010/2011 and 269 in 2009/2010.
Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, who asked for the figures during Prime Minister’s Questions, told the Daily Mail: “People will be astonished that it is possible for about 40 murderers and rapists to have absconded in three years.
“The public expect to be protected from serious offenders, and the fact that so many can abscond is outrageous and unacceptable.”
He added: “What is frightening is that we don’t know how many of these committed offences while they were absconding. We don’t even know whether they are still at large.”
The majority of the prisoners would have already served long sentences in secure prisons before being moved to open jails, where many are allowed to leave on day visits and to undertake work in the community to prepare them for their release.
Last year Marcus Barney, 27, had an extra four months added to his jail term for causing death by dangerous driving after absconding from an open prison and fleeing to Australia.
He was jailed for seven years at Oxford Crown Court in May 2007 after admitting responsibility for the death of 26-year-old Carol Tegg on a road in Woodcote, Oxfordshire, in July 2006.
Barney, from Hinckley, Leicestershire, failed to return to Sudbury prison in Derbyshire when he was granted temporary leave in August 2009.
Two years later he was arrested in New South Wales and extradited back to the UK where magistrates in Derby added four months to the remainder of his sentence.
In October Ivan Leach, 47, sparked a two month man-hunt by police in Scotland and England after absconding from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Leach, from Preston, who was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90-year-old woman in her home, was found by police in Camden, north London, in December and has since appeared at court.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “Prison absconds are at an all time low.
“We do everything possible to help the police find those who do abscond and more than 97% are returned to prison where they can face further prosecution.”
ESCAPEE IN COURT
A man from Preston who went on the run from a Lincolnshire jail for nearly two months has appeared in court charged with being unlawfully at large.
Ivan Leach, 47, absconded from North Sea Camp open prisonin Boston on October 9, sparking a police search across Scotland and England.
He was arrested on Sunday in Camden, north London and charged with being unlawfully at large, contrary to Section 49 of the Prison Act 1952, Scotland Yard said.
Leach, also known as Lee Cyrus, was remanded in custody when he appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, a court official said.
He will next appear at Blackfriars Crown Court in London on a date yet to be confirmed, she added.
Leach was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90-year-old woman in her home in the city.
He was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of five years.
OPEN PRISON FUGITIVE HELD BY POLICE
A fugitive, whose absconsion from an open prison sparked a police search across Scotland and England, has been found in London.
Ivan Leach, 47, had been on the run from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire since October 9.
Police arrested him on suspicion of a number of offences this morning in the Camden area, Scotland Yard said.
Leach, also known as Lee Cyril, was wanted for questioning about a rape in Scotland committed while police hunted for him.
On October 15 a woman was woken and raped by an intruder in her home in Perth, and the following day a mattress was stolen from her home.
Leach, from Preston, was jailed in 2005 for robbing a 90-year-old woman in her home in the city.
He was given a life sentence with a minimum tariff of five years.
Leach is currently in custody in a north London police station.
Police had warned not to approach the fugitive under any circumstances.
POLICE SEARCH FOR MISING LIFE SENTENCE PRISONER
Converse, the national newspaper for prisoners in England and Wales: read it here
Around 30 police officers are searching woodlands after a possible sighting of a prisoner on the run.
Tayside Police warned the public not to approach Lee Cyrus, 47, who disappeared on day release from North Sea Camp open prison in Boston, Lincolnshire, earlier this month.
He is serving a life sentence for robbery.
Police are investigating two violent attacks in the Perth area in the last fortnight, including the sexual assault of a woman by an intruder who attacked the victim in her own bed.
Police said a “suspicious” male was spotted by an off-duty officer by the A90 Perth to Dundee road at around 7.20am. He lost sight of the man when he ran into woods at Kinnoull Hill.
Specialist search officers and dogs have been hunting the area.
A police spokeswoman said: “The public will be aware that Tayside Police, along with other forces, are making enquiries to trace the whereabouts of absconder Lee Cyrus. It is too early to confirm whether today’s sighting is linked to those inquiries.
“In appealing to the public for any information they might have, we would urge people to be vigilant and not to approach this man but to contact the police immediately.”
Cyrus, also known as Ivan Leach, failed to return to prison on Tuesday October 9 and police believe he may have travelled to the Tayside area.
The male spotted today was described as being of medium build, with a round face and clean shaven. He wore muddy, dark-coloured waterproof trousers and top and a beanie hat. He was carrying a rucksack-style bag, police said.
Tayside Officers are investigating the sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman as she slept in her home in the Bridgend area of Perth. The intruder threatened her before the attack at around midnight on Monday October 15.
The assault followed a nearby robbery the previous night in which a woman was attacked in her home.
The man who carried out the sex assault was wearing a dark-coloured beanie hat, a grey jumper and khaki green waterproof trousers with a black belt. He was also wearing khaki green boots and spoke with an English accent.
Police said they are keeping an open mind about whether the robbery and the sexual assault are linked and did not comment on whether Cyrus is considered a suspect.
Lancashire Police want to speak to Cyrus about reports that a man fitting his description approached two schoolgirls for sex last week.
The man spoke to the girls as they sat at a bus stop in Lancaster Road in Preston city centre on Wednesday October 17 at about 6.30pm.
He made sexual remarks and encouraged them to participate in sexual activities, police said.
The girls boarded their bus and then reported the incident to police.
Detective chief inspector Ian Dawson from Lancashire Police said: “We want to speak with Ivan Leach/Lee Cyrus in connection with an offence of inciting children to engage in sexual activity.
“He is a dangerous individual who poses a serious threat to members of the public with previous convictions for burglary, sex offences against a young girl, assault and robberies in which he has targeted elderly people in their own homes.
“We believe he could be sleeping rough and travelling extensively throughout the country. However, he has a number of links to Preston and prior to his sentence lived and offended in the Preston area. We are liaising with a number of other forces in a bid to track him down and apprehend him but we need the public’s help.”
At that time the offender was described as having stubble and wearing a black top, black shorts, carrying a rucksack.
Cyrus was jailed in 2005 for the robbery of a 90-year-old woman at her home in Ribbleton, Lancashire.
Members of the public are warned not to approach him.
Anyone with information as to his current whereabouts, or anyone who has seen him since he absconded should contact Lincolnshire Police on 101. Information can also be passed anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Converse, the national newspaper for prisoners in England and Wales: read it here
