Machete robber freed by mistake taunts the police with this photo
GRINNING as he points mockingly at a police van, this is an armed robber who is on the run after being mistakenly freed from jail early.
Ryan Byrne, 34, who robbed a shop armed with a 2ft machete, was released from Wandsworth Prison, London, last week with up to 18 months of a nine-year sentence left.
But instead of lying low, he has taunted detectives trying to track him down by posting pictures of himself revelling in his freedom on social networking sites.
The photo of him by a police van is thought to have been taken in Chinatown in central London on Saturday night. Another picture from Sunday shows him enjoying a pint of lager in a pub.
Byrne was jailed for robbing a branch of Boots in Ruislip, west London, in 2007. He was part of a balaclava-clad armed gang, including his brother Darren, who locked workers in a room and raided £3,800 from the safe.
A source told The Sun: ‘Byrne was sitting in his cell having a cigarette last Wednesday 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. It’s hugely embarrassing for the Prison Service. What if he commits another violent crime?’ Byrne, from Hammersmith in London, was released on licence in 2011 but was taken back to jail for breaching conditions.
He is described as being 5ft 11in and of medium build, with blue eyes. Scotland Yard said they were informed about his release on Friday. Last year convict Anthony Douglas was wrongly freed from Hewell prison in Worcestershire because he had the same surname as an inmate who was due for release. He is now back in jail. ÷ Anyone who sees Byrne or has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.