This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/wear/8404459.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Release blunder dealer is jailed Release blunder dealer is jailed
(about 5 hours later)
A Tyneside drug dealer released from Durham Prison by mistake has been jailed for 21 months.A Tyneside drug dealer released from Durham Prison by mistake has been jailed for 21 months.
Robert Winthrop, 37, of Hebburn, was wrongly released from the jail last week after admitting possessing cocaine and amphetamine with intent to supply.Robert Winthrop, 37, of Hebburn, was wrongly released from the jail last week after admitting possessing cocaine and amphetamine with intent to supply.
Prison staff told him he could leave on bail even though he had told them he had been remanded in custody.Prison staff told him he could leave on bail even though he had told them he had been remanded in custody.
Judge Beatrice Bolton, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him she did not blame him for his "week at liberty".Judge Beatrice Bolton, at Newcastle Crown Court, told him she did not blame him for his "week at liberty".
She said she had ordered an immediate investigation after the blunder.She said she had ordered an immediate investigation after the blunder.
'Very regrettable''Very regrettable'
Winthrop had been told to expect a custodial sentence after entering guilty pleas via videolink on 13 November.Winthrop had been told to expect a custodial sentence after entering guilty pleas via videolink on 13 November.
But the judge said an inquiry by the prison governor revealed while the dock officer had noted he had been remanded in custody the discipline officer had not been informed.But the judge said an inquiry by the prison governor revealed while the dock officer had noted he had been remanded in custody the discipline officer had not been informed.
When the clerk at the crown court produced a remand warrant, this did not make its way to the prison.When the clerk at the crown court produced a remand warrant, this did not make its way to the prison.
The judge said investigations were continuing but procedures were now in place to stop the blunder happening again.The judge said investigations were continuing but procedures were now in place to stop the blunder happening again.
She said: "While there was a very regrettable error I am delighted to find those involved or potentially involved in this error investigated it immediately and put in place various robust procedures to ensure it should not happen again."She said: "While there was a very regrettable error I am delighted to find those involved or potentially involved in this error investigated it immediately and put in place various robust procedures to ensure it should not happen again."
Following the hearing, a Prison Service spokesperson 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.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.