23/04/2008

Another Prisoner Goes 'On The Run'

The search is on for the third prisoner inside a week to 'escape' in Northern Ireland - making a total of 10 who have now gone missing from custody this year.

The hunt is for a convicted robber after he failed to return to prison from leave on Saturday.

Robert Richard Paul Rogers, 36, was being allowed out for short periods from Magilligan Prison in Lisburn before his release date in September.

He was given a four-and-a-half year sentence in March last year for robbery.

The fugitive is described as having black hair, brown eyes and is around 5ft 6ins tall and slim. His last known address was in Dublin.

Rogers is the eleventh convict this year to go missing while on leave - however, the other 10 have all since returned.

A Northern Ireland Prison Service spokesman said: "Police and gardai will be searching for him. He was let out on pre-release because it is a statutory scheme which all convicted prisoners can apply for."

Police said investigations begin as soon as they are informed of a prisoner unlawfully at large.

This will be further embarrassment for the authorities though as last week, not one, but two prisoners escaped from custody - one from a hospital toilet and the other from a courthouse.

On Tuesday, April 15, a man serving a 30-month sentence at Magilligan fled through a lavatory at the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine - but was caught within an hour.

He had been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving and was due for release in March next year. The incident has been referred to police for prosecution.

Two days later, a teenage prisoner handed himself in at a police station hours after escaping from Downpatrick Courthouse.

Conall Kearney, 18, slipped out of his handcuffs and sprinted away as he was being escorted to a custody suite. It is believed he later walked into a police station where he was detained.

At Downpatrick High Court yesterday he was further charged with escape from custody and assault.

Judge Mr Justice Treacy was told Kearney panicked as he was being led to the cells and was sorry for fleeing.

However, the court was also told he allegedly injured a female security officer who tried to stop him.

(BMcC)

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