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Inmates took over prison, jury told

Friday 20 January 2012 01:00 GMT

Masked and armed prisoners took control of an open prison within half an hour of turning on staff, a court heard yesterday.

The mutiny at Ford prison, West Sussex, in the early hours of New Year's Day 2011 saw inmates running amok, looting, smashing and torching buildings and property, a jury at Hove Crown Court was told.

The jury heard that by the time the authorities were back in control of the prison 12 hours later, more than £5m of damage had been caused.

Seven men deny a charge of prison mutiny. One of the defendants, Thomas Regan, has admitted violent disorder and another, Lee Roberts, has pleaded guilty to arson. The trial continues.

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