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Robber released by mistake from Wandsworth prison 'taunts police with pictures on the run' Robber accidentally released from prison, taunts authorities by posting pictures enjoying pint
(about 2 hours later)
Police are hunting a robber serving a nine-year jail term who was released from prison in error. A robber mistakenly released from a high security prison just months into his nine-year jail term has taunted police by posting images of him enjoying a pint.
Ryan Byrne, 34, was mistakenly freed from Wandsworth Prison in south London, Scotland Yard said. He was sentenced to a total of nine years' imprisonment earlier this year after stealing £3,800 from a Boots store with his brother and two other men in 2007. Wearing balaclavas, the four men brandished a machete and locked staff in a room. Ryan Byrne, 34, was freed from Wandsworth Prison in south London, after serving just a few months of his nine-year jail term after a violent robbery of a Boots store in 2007.
The Prison Service said it was investigating the release. Along with his brother, Byrne and another two men stole £3,800 from the store and - wearing balaclavas - the four men brandished a machete and locked staff in a room.
Byrne is described as white, 5ft 11in and of medium build. He has blue eyes and a goatee beard. After being mistakenly released – according to The Sun while he enjoyed a cigarette – Byrne has been posting a series of images online, much to authorities chagrin.
A Yard spokesman said police were informed by the Prison Service on Friday that Byrne had been released in error. Photographs discovered by the newspaper show the convicted robber in front of a police van and enjoying a pint in a pub.
The Prison Service said it was investigating his release. Byrne is described as white, 5ft 11in and of medium build. He has blue eyes and a goatee beard.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said police were informed by the Prison Service on Friday that Byrne had been released in error.
A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “Releases in error are very rare but regrettable occurrences. The number of incidents have fallen significantly in recent years with figures down by a quarter compared to 2009/10 but every incident is taken extremely seriously and we are not complacent.A Prison Service spokeswoman said: “Releases in error are very rare but regrettable occurrences. The number of incidents have fallen significantly in recent years with figures down by a quarter compared to 2009/10 but every incident is taken extremely seriously and we are not complacent.
“We are investigating this incident. The recapture of this prisoner is now a matter for the police.”“We are investigating this incident. The recapture of this prisoner is now a matter for the police.”
The Sun newspaper said Byrne had been taunting police by posing for pictures on the run. He was shown grinning in front of a police van, possibly in London's Chinatown, and enjoying a pint in a pub.
Exclusive: Prisoner mistakenly freed from jail taunts police by posing for pictures on the run http://t.co/RWOGh2FRgd pic.twitter.com/Pj8idDblvV
A source told the newspaper: “Byrne was sitting in his cell having a cigarette when he was told he was free to leave. He couldn't believe it. But he didn't protest and has been enjoying his freedom.”
Police have checked his mother's house in Acton, west London, but he is still on the run, it added.
Anyone who has seen Byrne or has any information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101.
PA