A man who was sentenced to three years in jail for a robbery in 2011 is still in prison after 15 years. Andrew Whittle, now 48 years old, received an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) at Bolton Crown Court. Despite the initial 40-month term, he has not been released.
IPP sentences, introduced between 2005 and 2012, targeted dangerous criminals not eligible for life imprisonment. These sentences included a minimum tariff followed by indefinite detention until deemed safe for release by the Parole Board. The system led to extended imprisonment periods, as highlighted by the Prison Reform Trust. Whittle, currently at HMP Fosse Way, was found with three mobile phones, including an iPhone and a Samsung device, along with two chargers at HMP Dartmoor.
Whittle made 58 calls from the phones to his relatives and an acquaintance, with no unlawful intentions reported. Despite having 22 convictions for 91 offenses, he pleaded guilty to eight charges related to the phone possessions. Judge Robert Linford mentioned Whittle’s lengthy incarceration since 2011 and the subsequent offenses committed at Dartmoor, acknowledging the rules breached.
While expressing personal views on IPP sentences, Judge Linford sentenced Whittle to an additional 18 months in prison for the phone violations, emphasizing the necessity due to the circumstances. Whittle was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £187.
In the original incident in 2011, Whittle, then 32, assaulted a woman with a meat cleaver after she offered him a ride, resulting in severe injuries. The attack led to charges of attempted robbery, wounding with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon, ultimately resulting in the IPP sentence at Bolton Crown Court.
HMP Dartmoor ceased operations in 2024 due to safety concerns related to radon gas, costing the HM Prison and Probation Service £4 million annually for an empty facility. Unless steps are taken to reopen Dartmoor and utilize it, the service will continue incurring this expense until the lease expires in 2033, amounting to around £32 million.
