Violent criminal Michael Wheatley, aged 55 years, was handed 13 life sentences at the Old Bailey in 2002 after raiding 13 building societies and banks over a 10 month period in 2001 and 2002 while on parole from a 27-year sentence for other robberies.
So, a dangerous criminal securely locked up out of harm’s way to protect the public. Apparently not. Wheatley was in an open prison – much to his own surprise – and has now failed to return to HMP Standford Hill prison on the Isle of Sheppey after been let out on temporary leave.
The Prisons Minister, Jeremy Wright, is reported as saying:
In future when prisoners are let out on temporary licence they will be tagged, more strictly risk assessed and tested in the community under strict conditions before being released.
Sure there is some sort of saying involving horses, barn doors and bolts. Police have warned the public not to approach Wheatley if they see him.