PRISON BREAK DUMMY TRICK
A SERIAL criminal escaped from Sudbury prison by hiding a dummy made up of clothing and a protein powder tin in his bed – reminiscent of the Clint Eastwood movie Escape from Alcatraz – a court has heard.
Ross Gallagher, 32, was seen “hopping gardens” after absconding from the open prison on October 19.
He was flushed out by police dogs after ‘stingers’ were used to try to stop a stolen Peugeot 308 at Rothwell Services on the A14 in Northamptonshire. Gallagher continued to drive for more than a mile despite two tyres being deflated, before making off on foot.
Leicester Crown Court heard how the dummy he used “suggested someone was still in the bed” when officers peered through his cell window – just like Eastwood as inmate Frank Morris in the 1979 movie.
The court was told Gallagher, who appeared via video link from HMP Peterborough, had 80 previous convictions but was transferred to Sudbury on April 25.
Gallagher, from Corby, Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty to escaping from prison, dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving while disqualified and criminal damage. He was jailed for 27 months to run consecutively with an eight-year sentence he is serving.
Judge Philip Head accepted that Gallagher had intended to return the following morning and had only escaped to visit his father.
On Monday, November 26, the judge told Gallagher: “The reason this is a real tragedy is because you became frustrated – you took matters into your own hands.
“You had clearly pre-planned this. You took steps to disguise your absence. You made a determined effort to evade arrest. It is a tribute to the determination you had trying to escape that you suffered injuries yourself – notably to your legs.”
Prosecutor Hal Ewing said: “He placed a dummy in his bed of clothing and a protein powder container.
“It suggested someone was still in the bed when you looked through the cell door window.”
Mr Ewing said Gallagher used a stolen car to make his escape, which he crashed after driving down a steep verge.
He added: “He got out of the vehicle and ran off. Dogs and a helicopter were deployed.
“He was jumping over fences in back gardens. Police then heard a loud crack and then a yell of pain - he had fallen through a shed roof but still did not give up.”
Amar Mehta, defending, said: “He was going to come back in the morning – he simply wanted to see his father.”
Mr Mehta said Gallagher had also become frustrated after being refused a prison transfer.