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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Inquiry as gunman escapes custody | Inquiry as gunman escapes custody |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Prison Service has launched an internal inquiry into how a convicted gunman was freed by two masked men. | The Prison Service has launched an internal inquiry into how a convicted gunman was freed by two masked men. |
| Joe Farnan, 27, arrived at Hammersmith Hospital by ambulance on Monday afternoon when two men - one armed with a gun - opened the rear doors. | Joe Farnan, 27, arrived at Hammersmith Hospital by ambulance on Monday afternoon when two men - one armed with a gun - opened the rear doors. |
| The masked men threatened three prison officers and forced them to uncuff Farnan before all three fled by car. | The masked men threatened three prison officers and forced them to uncuff Farnan before all three fled by car. |
| Farnan, from Bermondsey, south London, was in prison at Wormwood Scrubs for conspiracy to rob, and other crimes. | Farnan, from Bermondsey, south London, was in prison at Wormwood Scrubs for conspiracy to rob, and other crimes. |
| He was being taken to hospital after complaining of fits while in prison. | He was being taken to hospital after complaining of fits while in prison. |
| It is the third time he has managed to escape from custody. | It is the third time he has managed to escape from custody. |
| The gang's escape vehicle, a silver Volvo, was found abandoned in the early hours of Tuesday in Ealing, west London. | |
| Distinctive scar | Distinctive scar |
| In May 2000, following an appearance at Tower Bridge Magistrates Court where he was appearing charged with armed robbery, Farnan absconded from a prison van transporting him along Tower Bridge Road. | |
| href="/1/hi/england/london/6244459.stm" class="">Escape blamed on 'system failure' | |
| Police recaptured him about three months later at Surrey Quays shopping centre. | |
| In April 2001, Farnan was sentenced to 16 years in jail at the Old Bailey for robbery, conspiracy to rob, possession of an imitation firearm and escaping from lawful custody. | In April 2001, Farnan was sentenced to 16 years in jail at the Old Bailey for robbery, conspiracy to rob, possession of an imitation firearm and escaping from lawful custody. |
| He later escaped from Standford jail in Kent, before being given an indeterminate sentence at Harrow Crown Court last July for conspiracy to rob, aggravated vehicle taking and escaping from lawful custody. | He later escaped from Standford jail in Kent, before being given an indeterminate sentence at Harrow Crown Court last July for conspiracy to rob, aggravated vehicle taking and escaping from lawful custody. |
| Police described Farnan as white, of medium build with dark brown hair and blue eyes. | Police described Farnan as white, of medium build with dark brown hair and blue eyes. |
| He is about 5ft 10in and has a distinctive scar on his forearm. | He is about 5ft 10in and has a distinctive scar on his forearm. |
| The prison officers threatened on Monday were unhurt, but are being treated for shock. No shots were fired. | The prison officers threatened on Monday were unhurt, but are being treated for shock. No shots were fired. |
| The public are being advised not to approach the men, but to contact the police if they see them. | The public are being advised not to approach the men, but to contact the police if they see them. |