Revealed: Armed kidnapper who triumphantly posed in front of Bentley after being released from prison early documented his seven years behind bars with smug social media selfies
This is the armed kidnapper who called out, Big up Keir Starmer, when freed from prison in the latest tranche of early inmate releases - after documenting his time behind bars with a series of social media selfies.
This is the armed kidnapper who called out, Big up Keir Starmer, when freed from prison in the latest tranche of early inmate releases - after documenting his time behind bars with a series of social media selfies.
More than 1,200 convicts who have served 40 per cent of their sentences are being freed under a scheme to tackle prison overcrowding, following on from 1,750 who were released last month.
Many of those being released lavished praise on the Prime Minister for letting them out early, despite Sir Keir saying he shares the publics anger at such celebrations.
Among them was Daniel Dowling-Brooks, who gave thumbs up signs and waves as he posed by a Bentley outside HMP Swaleside in Kent, as he set out his plans what to do with his new freedom - such as heading to McDonalds.
The 29-year-old father-of-two was also open about the violent crimes for which he was put behind bars in the first place - though vowed he would turn over a new leaf.
Daniel Dowling-Brooks said, Big up Keir Starmer , when freed from prison in the latest tranche of early inmate releases - as he posed on a £150,000 brand new Bentley outside jail
The 29-year-old father of two has been spending time behind bars for kidnap and GBH
He posed on Tuesday morning alongside his mother Sarah outside HMP Swaleside in Kent
His public Facebook page has shown photos of the 29-year-old as profile picture changes
Photographs from his public Facebook page show him posing both inside and outside, including some which appear to be in front of prison cell doors - prompting comments in response about him being behind bars.
Posts in reply have included Man rolling wid that fridge outside the cell and remember make the time work for YOU learn and better urself.
He had been updating his profile pictures despite previously being given a seven-year prison sentence for kidnapping and GBH - the most recent change coming in February this year.
Dowling-Brooks has now been freed from HMP Swaleside in Kent seven weeks earlier than his previous due date, with the new release scheme reducing the minimum terms to be served behind bars from 50 to 40 per cent.
He was among a group of ten friends outside the jail this morning, with a strong smell of cannabis in the air.
Dowling-Brooks said, I love my life, as he posed on the car and also next to a Mercedes G Wagon, priced at £100,000.
He said: Im a dad of two so Im out now and Im very happy. Im going to be good.
Talking about his crimes, he revealed: I kidnapped someone who owed by friend money. I tied him up and had him at gunpoint. I beat him up.
Daniel Dowling-Brooks said after being released: Im a dad of two so Im out now and Im very happy. Im going to be good
Dowling-Brooks has been freed from HMP Swaleside in Kent seven weeks earlier than his due date, with the new release scheme reducing minimum terms from 50 to 40 per cent
It was bad but not as bad as they made out. Im so sorry for it, though. Im changed.
Big up Keir Starmer, I am delighted to be released early. I am delighted.
I cant wait to go McDonalds. Thats where were all going now. Im free and can go wherever I want now. Its amazing. I could not believe they are letting me out this early. Ive got my girl with me.
His mother Sarah Dowling-Brooks, who had been waiting for him, insisted: Hes going to be good now. He has done his time. Im so happy he is home.
Hundreds of prisoners have been greeted by family members and high-end supercars including Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys as they walked out.
A convicted money launderers family arrived in a Lamborghini to greet him at HNPO Wandsworth in south London, while others were taken home in Rolls Royces.
And a convicted drug dealer freed from HMP Holme House in Teesside told how he was had a couple of girls who I might go and see, after being flat out on spice for two and half years, adding: Ive come out skinnier than when I went in.
About 25 prisoners were seen being released from HMP Ford in West Sussex, where cars arriving at the jail included a £350,000 white Rolls Royce Cullinan.
He said on Tuesday: Im free and can go wherever I want now. Its amazing. I could not believe they are letting me out this early. Ive got my girl with me
His mother Sarah Dowling-Brooks, who had been waiting for him, insisted: Hes going to be good now. He has done his time. Im so happy he is home
Sir Keir Starmer has been praised by various inmates newly freedom under the Governments early release scheme
When the car travelled away from the prison and the driver was asked by the Sun who the passenger in the back was, he joked: The Pope.
The scenes of celebration, not just by Dowling-Brooks but at prisons across the country.
Various inmates were vocal in their gratitude towards Sir Keir and his Labour government which took power in July this year.
Another prisoner thanked the PM as he was released from HMP Thameside in south London after serving less than a third of his sentence.
The inmate, who refused to give his name, spent just three months of his 10-month sentence for theft by false representation at the Category B jail.
Pumping his fist as he left the gate, he said: Im coming out early - thank you, Keir Starmer! Im a Labour voter, I think theyre going to be a lot better for us.
He said he was going straight home to see his children.
Meanwhile, a crime family were reunited as a drug dealer with 113 convictions was freed from prison under Sir Keirs early release scheme - and his mother told of his gratitude towards the Prime Minister.
Daniel Dowling-Brooks said, I love my life, as he posed on the car and also next to a Mercedes G Wagon, priced at £100,000, at HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent
Daniel Dowling-Brooks said after being freed from HMP Swaleside: Big up Keir Starmer, I am delighted to be released early. I am delighted
Vehicles included a £150,000 Bentley and a Mercedes G Wagon, valued at £100,000, were pictured outside HMP Swaleside on the day hundreds of inmates were freed early nationwide
James Sharp, 32, was locked up for five and a half years after leading police on a high-speed chase in February 2022.
He was today released from prison three and a half months early - having racked up 60 convictions for drug dealing, burglary and dangerous driving.
Sharp was met at the prison gates by his mother Amanda Sharp, who was locked up herself in 2022 for dealing.
Released in groups of up to six at a time, fellow inmates at HMP Holme House in Teesside celebrated freedom with cries of delight as they passed through the large retracting metal doors.
Holme House, a mens training and resettlement prison, has an operational capacity for 1,179 prisoners.
A court previously heard Amanda Sharp was at the centre of a little family drug dealing business, which includes her son and grandson, and possibly others.
She and her son James hugged today outside the Category C jail, where about 20 prisoners had been released by 10am.
Posing with his thumb up, Sharp, from Stockton, said he was excited to see his son.
James Sharp was released from prison three and a half months early - having racked up 60 convictions for drug dealing, burglary and dangerous driving
Amanda Sharp posed with her son James Sharp after his release from prison on Tuesday
James Sharp and his mother Amanda Sharp were seen embracing as he emerged from jail
He said: I want to try and go the Christian route and help other people. I converted about 10 years ago inside.
Ive got my own flat in Stockton from probation and Ive got a couple of girls who I might go and see.
Im happy to be out. Drugs are rife in the prison. Ive been flat out on spice for two and half years. Ive come out skinnier than when I went in.
His mother Amanda, while waiting to greet him this morning, said: Its a rough prison. There are people off their heads on spice constantly. You get more drugs in jail than you do on the outside.
I spoke to James yesterday, hes excited to come out. Hes grateful to Keir Starmer. If I can help it, he will be staying on the straight and narrow.
Another freed prisoner, released from HMP Manchester - often known as Strangeways - today said: I want to say thanks to Keir Starmer for this.
He then nodded when asked whether he would vote Labour at the next general election.
Todays emergency release of inmates to prevent overcrowding in prisons is the final tranche of this early release scheme, the PMs official spokesman has now said.
Inmates have also been leaving HMP Manchester this morning as the release scheme aimed at curbing prison overcrowding continues
A man is seen outside HMP Wandsworth in south London on Tuesday
The spokesman added: The Governments focus is now on the reforms to sentencing, to building prison places such that we do not end up in the situation that this Government ended up in when it came into office, where there was risks of police not being able to make the arrests that they needed, and risks that the criminal justice system was going to collapse.
The spokesman also said: The Prime Minister shares the publics anger at these scenes and thinks it is shocking that any government should ever inherit the crisis that this government has when it comes to our prisons.
But just to be clear, there was no choice not to act. If we had not acted, we would have faced a complete paralysis of the system.
Courts unable to send offenders to prison, police unable to make arrests and unchecked criminality on our streets, so the Government clearly could not allow this to happen.
