The search for a violent drug dealer who escaped prison remains ongoing after GB News caught the moment the inmate fled HMP Kirkham 100 days ago.
Elliot Riley, 31, fled the Category D prison on October 22 after clambering the barbed-wire-topped fence before a waiting vehicle drove him away from the scene.
Riley, who was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply drugs and possession of criminal property, escaped during a live broadcast on GB News as the People’s Channel were reporting on 1,100 inmates being freed from prison to reduce overcrowding behind bars.
The 31-year-old left the Category D prison on October 22, 2024, the same day that around 50 inmates had their stint in the clink reduced.
HMP KirkhamWIKIMEDIA COMMONSWhile Lancashire Police and the Ministry of Justice said at the time they were “urgently working” to recapture the prisoner, the People’s Channel can confirm the search remains ongoing.
A Prison Service spokesman told GB News: “We’re urgently working with the police to recapture this prisoner.
“Absconds are rare, but those who break the rules face tough consequences including being moved to tougher conditions and extra jail time.”
Lancashire Police separately added that there is still “no update” on efforts to recapture Riley at this moment in time.
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Elliot Riley was sentenced after being stunt in a police drug operationGMPRiley was sentenced in April 2024 after being convicted as part of Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Bowler drug sting the previous year.
The conspiracy, which resulted in 16 men being arrested, ran between September 2021 and July 2022.
During this period, the group were responsible for the movement of at least 75 kilos of high-purity cocaine, which has an estimated street sale value of £7.5million.
When officers attempted to arrest Riley, the 31-year-old attempted to flee the clutches of officers in his underwear.
Sophie Reaper said she saw the man jump over the fence GB NEWSRiley also sustained several small cuts on his hands after trying to break two mobile phones which were later recovered by the police.
Despite his involvement in drug-related crime, Riley was serving his sentence at a Category D prison.
HMP Kirkham allows inmates who are deemed to pose a low risk to roam around in lower security conditions.
Offenders who abscond from an open prison are excluded from returning to an open prison for at least two years.
However, GB News understands that security measures have not been ramped up at HMP Kirkham following the escape.