Drug dealer takes off on day release (From Gazette Series)

Drug dealer takes off on day release

POLICE are appealing for help to trace a convicted drug dealer who has absconded from Leyhill Prison.

Curtis Dalrymple, 29, was last seen on Monday, December 12. He was on day release to Stroud College but failed to return to the open prison.

He is serving a five-and-a-half year sentence for possessing drugs with intent to supply after being convicted on November 21, 2002.

Curtis is described as a white man, about 5 ft 9" tall, of medium build, with short brown hair. Anyone who thinks they may have spotted the absconder is asked to contact police immediately on 999.

Alternatively, information on his possible whereabouts can be passed on by calling Staple Hill CID on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

This week the prison service was quick to reassure the public despite Dalrymple's escape from Leyhill - the 100th this year.

A spokesman for the Home Office: "Leyhill is an open prison and the whole point of it is to resettle prisoners into the community. There have been a number of prisoners who have absconded but the figures are lower than other years.

"Leyhill has a lot of prisoners and only a small number of them abscond. A large majority of which are picked up by the police and returned to closed conditions.

"Leyhill is tightening up risk assessment procedures and prisoners that are there are of low risk."