Drug dealer freed by bungling warders at Durham Prison

Dec 2 2009 by Garry Willey, The Journal

BUNGLING warders have freed a drug dealer from a top security jail – despite him telling them he was supposed to be kept inside.

Robert Winthrop was being held on remand at Durham Prison waiting to be punished for cocaine and amphetamine offences. The 37-year-old was due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court next week and had already been warned he would receive an inevitable jail term.

But instead staff at the prison told him he was free to walk out on bail.

And they insisted Winthrop go even though he told staff he had to stay locked up, the court heard.

Now Judge Beatrice Bolton has demanded an immediate investigation after the defendant rang his lawyers to tell them he was at large. “It is quite extraordinary,” Judge Bolton said. “There would have been a remand document yet the prison have released him with no explanation and no apology to the court.

“I would like inquiries to be made with Durham how it was the defendant was admitted to bail when the courts specifically said he was to be remanded in custody, and on what authority Durham Prison released him.

“I would also like to know whether any notice at all was taken of the defendant when he told them he shouldn’t be released or whether he was just ignored.”