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Prisoner in rooftop protest at Strangeways jail Prisoner in rooftop protest at Strangeways jail in Manchester
(about 2 hours later)
A prisoner at the high-security Strangeways jail in Manchester has been staging a rooftop protest for almost 24 hours after scaling the walls wearing just a pair of jogging bottoms. A prisoner at the high-security Strangeways jail in Manchester has been staging a rooftop protest for more than 24 hours after scaling the walls wearing just a pair of jogging bottoms.
The man, named in local media as convicted murderer Stuart Horner, has been on the roof of the jail, also known as HM Prison Manchester, since about 2pm on Sunday, defying efforts to talk him down and shouting to fellow prisoners, who are on lockdown in their cells. Convicted murderer Stuart Horner has been on the roof of the jail, also known as HM Prison Manchester, since about 2pm on Sunday, defying efforts to talk him down and shouting to fellow prisoners, who are on lockdown in their cells.
Three roads – Southall Street, Sherborne Street and Empire Street – have been closed around Strangeways, just north of Manchester city centre, while prison staff try to get Horner down. He has caused some damage to the roof, police said.Three roads – Southall Street, Sherborne Street and Empire Street – have been closed around Strangeways, just north of Manchester city centre, while prison staff try to get Horner down. He has caused some damage to the roof, police said.
Pictures from the scene show a man perched on the gable roof of the 19th century, panopticon-style prison, which was slick with early morning rain. On Sunday night, according to the Manchester Evening News, he was seen climbing poles on the roof, removing his jogging bottoms and shouting remarks such as: “100% reoffender.” Pictures from the scene show a man perched on the gable roof of the 19th-century, panopticon-style prison, which was slick with early morning rain. On Sunday night, according to the Manchester Evening News (MEN), he was seen climbing poles on the roof, removing his jogging bottoms and shouting remarks such as: “100% reoffender”.
On Monday morning he said he was protesting over prison conditions. An MEN video showed him apparently vandalising the prison roof with a metal pole. Horner, who is visible and audible from the rooftop above the walls of the jail, has complained about prison conditions and shouted he wants to change prison history. An MEN video showed him apparently vandalising the prison roof with a metal pole.
A former cellmate of Horner’s, who did not want to be named but had come to watch the disturbance, told the MEN he was surprised at the protest. “He was a dead sound lad but fairly quiet,” the man said. “I wouldn’t have expected him to do anything like this. I can imagine it is horrible in there for him so can see why he is doing this.”
Horner is now sitting on top of #strangeways roof and is shouting to prisoners in cells pic.twitter.com/CvN9z6Q14IHorner is now sitting on top of #strangeways roof and is shouting to prisoners in cells pic.twitter.com/CvN9z6Q14I
The mother of another inmate, who was also outside the jail, told the paper that conditions in the jail were bad and that her son had lost a stone in weight because the food on offer was so poor. “I know they are in there to be punished but it has to be done the right way,” she said. “Don’t treat them like animals. It’s taken something like this poor guy to get on the roof before anything will be noticed.”
Inmates inside the jail have shouted encouragement with chants of: “There’s only one Stuart Horner!”
Police said they were initially called at about 3.30pm on Sunday by prison guards who feared Horner may be seen by members of the public. However, they left once it was clear that he was within an 18ft secure exercise yard, unable to escape and not visible to passersby.Police said they were initially called at about 3.30pm on Sunday by prison guards who feared Horner may be seen by members of the public. However, they left once it was clear that he was within an 18ft secure exercise yard, unable to escape and not visible to passersby.
Officers returned on Monday morning to divert traffic around the jail. Ch Insp Gareth Parkin of Greater Manchester police, said: “We are supporting our colleagues at HMP Manchester to manage this incident safely, and as such we have had to temporarily close a number of roads. Officers returned on Monday morning to divert traffic around the jail. Ch Insp Gareth Parkin of Greater Manchester police said: “We are supporting our colleagues at HMP Manchester to manage this incident safely, and as such we have had to temporarily close a number of roads.
“There may be some traffic disruption in the area, so those travelling past the prison are advised to allow some extra time for their journeys this morning if possible.” “There may be some traffic disruption in the area, so those travelling past the prison are advised to allow some extra time for their journeys this morning, if possible.”
Horner, 35, was jailed for 27 years in 2012 for shooting his uncle in the chest with a shotgun after a family feud.Horner, 35, was jailed for 27 years in 2012 for shooting his uncle in the chest with a shotgun after a family feud.