Attempted murderer, burglar escape from London prison

A day after a riot involving 200 inmates at the HMP Bedford was quashed two inmates, a convicted attempted murderer and a burglar escaped from the Pentonville prison in London on Monday.

According to local media reports, the inmates cut through cell bars using a diamond-tipped cutter and lowered themselves down five floors before scaling the prison walls.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has warned the not to approach the men after the Scotland Yard released pictures of the two inmates.

Matthew Baker, 28, was on remand awaiting sentencing after he was convicted two weeks ago for stabbing a man in Dagenham. The second inmate James Whitlock, 31, was being held for charges for attempting to burgle 19 ATM machines.

Baker and Whitlock are said to have been cell mates at Pentonville.

According to the MPS the pair's escape was discovered a little before noon on Monday when prison staff discovered their beds stuffed with pillows giving the impression they were asleep.

The MPS has identified Whitlock as a white male with a slim build and the word “Tracy” tattooed on his torso while Baker has been described as a white male with ginger coloured hair.

Citing unnamed sources, local media reported that the escape likely took place during the night and the duo climbed down from the fifth floor using a rope made out of bed sheets tied together.

Another visitor to the prison claimed the inmates used bed sheets to stuff their beds in order to give the impression they were still sleeping in.

The HMP Pentonville opened in 1842 and holds over 1200 prisoners. In 2015 the prison was identified as "the most dramatic example of failure" in the estate.

Earlier in October a 21 year old inmate was stabbed to death at Pentonville, in 2012 a convicted murderer escaped from the prison and remained at large for two-days before being caught.

Inmates (L-R) Matthew Baker, James Anthony Whitlock