Two prisoners have escaped from HMP Pentonville, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said. The police were called at 11:44 GMT.<\/p>\n
The escape was discovered when prison officers found two mannequins in the prisoners’ beds on Monday. One of those who escaped is serving a “very long sentence. It is understood the inmates, aged 28 and 31, used diamond-tipped cutting equipment to break through cell bars before they scaled the perimeter wall.<\/p>\n
A prison spokesperson said: “Public protection is our top priority and we take escapes from custody extremely seriously. We are working closely with the police and are urgently investigating the matter.”<\/p>\n
UPDATE<\/strong><\/p>\n A manhunt is now underway for James Whitlock, 31, and Matthew Baker, 28.<\/p>\n Police have warned the public not to approach the two convicts\u00a0as they could become violent, but to call 999 if they see either of them.<\/p>\n Baker was on remand awaiting sentencing after being found guilty two weeks ago of attempted murder. He was due to be sentenced on Friday.<\/p>\n Whitlock was on remand after being charged with conspiracy to burgle more than 19 ATMs.<\/p>\n Mike Rolfe, from the Prison Officers’ Association, said the\u00a0escapees would have had help from outside and equipment may have been sent in by drone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"