Notorious criminal set for open prison move
A man who killed a police officer and was involved in one of the biggest robberies in British history has won a High Court battle for the possbility of moving to an open prison.
A man who killed a police officer and was involved in one of the biggest robberies in British history has won a High Court battle for the possibility of moving to an open prison.
Kenneth Noye, 69, is currently serving a life sentence for murdering 21-year-old Stephen Cameron in a road rage incident in 1996.
In September 2015, the Parole Board declined to order his release, but recommended he be transferred to an open prison, which was rejected by the then Justice Secretary Michael Gove.
At a hearing last month, Noye said Mr Goves decision was unlawful and irrational.
Contesting the challenge, current Justice Secretary Liz Truss said there was nothing irrational about Mr Goves decision.
Mr Justice Lavender ruled in Noyes favour on Friday (February 24) as he said: It will be for the current Secretary of State to take a fresh decision whether or not to transfer the claimant to an open prison.
In December 1984, Noye fled to Jersey following suspicions of his involvement in the Brinks-Mat robbery, in which 6,800 gold bars were stolen from a warehouse near Heathrow airport.
One month later, a detective from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) investigating the robbery was stabbed to death in the grounds of Noyes West Kingsdown home.
Noye was charged with the murder of John Fordham, but the jury cleared him on a majority verdict, deciding that he had acted in self-defence.
One year later, he was convicted of conspiring to handle gold from the Brinks-Mat robbery and conspiring to evade VAT payments following an 11-week trial at the Old Bailey.
I hope you all die of cancer, he shouted at the jury as he was sentenced to 14 years and fined £500,000.
After murdering Mr Cameron on the M25, Noye fled the country and was arrested in Spain two years later.
In 2000, he was sentenced to life in prison. He was not given a minimum tariff but the then Home Secretary David Blunkett later said he should serve at least 16 years.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We have noted the Courts findings and will consider.