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Escaped Dana prisoner returns as jail tour guide | Escaped Dana prisoner returns as jail tour guide |
(3 days later) | |
An ex-prisoner has returned as a tour guide to the high-security jail he escaped from 56 years ago. | An ex-prisoner has returned as a tour guide to the high-security jail he escaped from 56 years ago. |
Walter Groom and another man became the only two inmates to escape from HMP Shrewsbury when they broke out in 1961. | Walter Groom and another man became the only two inmates to escape from HMP Shrewsbury when they broke out in 1961. |
Mr Groom, who was serving time for breaking into shops, said the pair went down a manhole and tunnel before making "a human ladder" to scale the wall. | Mr Groom, who was serving time for breaking into shops, said the pair went down a manhole and tunnel before making "a human ladder" to scale the wall. |
The 81-year-old told his story to visitors to the former jail, known as the Dana, during a history day. | |
HMP Shrewsbury dates from the 19th Century and closed in 2013. | HMP Shrewsbury dates from the 19th Century and closed in 2013. |
Mr Groom, of Bilston, said the plan was hatched after he was approached by the other man "who was desperate to get out". | Mr Groom, of Bilston, said the plan was hatched after he was approached by the other man "who was desperate to get out". |
They planned the escape for 16 days after realising a manhole led into the prison yard, but they were both recaptured six days later. | They planned the escape for 16 days after realising a manhole led into the prison yard, but they were both recaptured six days later. |
Mr Groom, whose wife Barbara has written a book about his experiences, said he later put his criminal past behind him. | Mr Groom, whose wife Barbara has written a book about his experiences, said he later put his criminal past behind him. |
"I wanted to make a new life for myself - I always wanted to do that and I succeeded in the end. It was hard... but I did it." | "I wanted to make a new life for myself - I always wanted to do that and I succeeded in the end. It was hard... but I did it." |