‘Very dangerous’ British prisoner is one of five escapes from a maximum security prison in Portugal

A “very dangerous” British inmate is among five prisoners who have escaped from a maximum security prison in Portugal.

Mark Cameron Roscaleer, 39, was serving a nine-year prison sentence for kidnapping and robbery in Vale de Judeus prison, about 70 kilometers north of Lisbon.

The five men, aged between 33 and 61, escaped on Sunday morning and received “external help” from accomplices who provided a ladder “that allowed the prisoners to climb the wall,” according to the Portuguese Prison Service (DGRSP).

Frederico Morais, president of the National Union of Prison Guards (SNCGP), described Roscaleer as “very dangerous” and advised people not to approach him or other inmates if they see them.

He also provided details of the escape: “They managed to jump over a net since there were no guards to guard the perimeter… They leaned the ladder against the wall and from there climbed over the wall using a homemade rope.”

The four other refugees are:

• Fernando Ferreira, 61, Portuguese, is serving a 25-year prison sentence for drug trafficking, theft, robbery and kidnapping

• Fabio Loureiro, 33, Portuguese, sentenced to 25 years in prison for extortion, theft and money laundering

• Rodolf Lohrmann, 59, Argentinian, sentenced to 18 years and 10 months in prison for theft, robbery and money laundering

• Shergili Farjiani, 42, a native of Georgia, received a seven-year prison sentence for violent crimes, theft and forgery

Refugees are “very dangerous”

According to the Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias, the group was supported by three accomplices outside the prison and fled the scene in two cars, a Mercedes and a Volvo.

Luis Neves, national director of the criminal police, told the newspaper that with the exception of Shergili Farjiani, all the prisoners were “very dangerous” and their escape was “very well prepared”.

Read more at Sky News:
Private sector must shorten NHS waiting list
Children suffer pain after botched leg operations

Hermínio Barradas, president of the Association of Chiefs of Prison Guards (ASCCGP), also described the group as “well-equipped” and “determined”, but blamed security deficiencies.

He said: “There have been no watchtowers for nine years. The cameras filmed everything, but there was no way to react because there were no prison guards.”

According to prison unions ASCCGP and SNCGP, 20 guards were on duty – half the number normally required – to supervise over 500 inmates.

The Portuguese prison service said in a statement that an internal investigation had been launched.

(c) Sky News 2024: ‘Very dangerous’ British prisoner is one of five prisoners who escaped from a maximum security prison in Portugal