Jail mistakenly frees drug dealer

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A convicted drug dealer who had been told to expect a custodial sentence was mistakenly released from Durham Prison despite his protests.

Robert Winthrop was being held at the jail after admitting possessing cocaine and amphetamine with intent to supply.

Prison staff insisted the 37-year-old walk free on bail even though he told them he had been remanded in custody.

Lawyers are now waiting to see if he turns up for sentencing at Newcastle Crown Court on 9 December.

At a hearing into Winthrop's case, Judge Beatrice Bolton demanded an inquiry into the mistake.

She said: "It is quite extraordinary. There would have been a remand document yet the prison have released him with no explanation and no apology to the court.

In fairness to Mr Winthrop he contacted his solicitors to say 'they've released me' Katherine Dunn, defending

"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."

After being released, Winthrop, from William Street in Hebburn, South Tyneside, rang his lawyers to tell them he was at large.

Prosecutors have not made an application for an arrest warrant to return him back to custody.

Katherine Dunn, defending, said: "In fairness to Mr Winthrop he contacted his solicitors to say 'they've released me'.

"Hopefully he will hand himself in. If he doesn't, a warrant could then be issued."

A Prison Service spokeswoman said: "An investigation into this release, in conjunction with Her Majesty's Courts Service, is under way."

Last year, 23-year-old Terence Clegg went on the run for nearly two weeks after staff at Durham Prison released him instead of his 51-year-old father, also called Terence. He later handed himself in.