19 December 2023 , 22:54
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A bank robber who was part of a gang that sledgehammered their way into 22 banks and Post Offices and stole £1.3million has been found dead at home.
Ian Stewart, 55, was part of a six-man crew that broke into the buildings to steal money and was released from jail in April, 2021. Following his death a report has been made by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) which stated Stewart died in Liverpool Royal Hospital after being found at home by his son and it found "no issues of concern" and made "no recommendations".
Stewart was on license from his prison sentence but had recently become a wanted person after breaking conditions. He had previously served 13 years for armed robbery and was released on licence in April 2021. His gang targeted branches from NatWest in Warrington to Barclays in Maghull, causing terror as they burst through roofs, walls and doors with sledgehammers and crowbars.
Stewart's licence conditions included meeting with his probation officer, not committing further offences, and maintaining good behaviour. Until June 2022, there were no issues reported with his compliance.
On June 9, 2022, the Probation Service resumed drug testing for prisoners on licence, a practice that had been halted during the Covid pandemic. Stewart, who had a history of drug use, tested positive for cocaine on several occasions: June 9, June 21, July 19 and August 4.
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Stewart received two warning letters from probation staff about his drug use, but instead of recalling him, they decided to refer him to We Are With You, a community drug service. The report stated: "Mr Stewart tested positive for cocaine again on 15 August, but probation staff again decided not to recall him, allowing him time to engage with drug services. Mr Stewart failed to attend a supervision appointment on 2 September, and tested positive for cocaine again on 12 September.
"Mr Stewart had breached three of his licence conditions. On 16 September, police informed the Probation Service about Mr Stewart's arrest and release on bail pending a police investigation. Probation staff revoked Mr Stewart's licence based on this information, and also because Mr Stewart had missed an appointment with his probation officer and continued to test positive for cocaine.
"Probation staff notified the police so they could arrest Mr Stewart and return him to custody, but police were unable to locate Mr Stewart to serve the revocation licence, and he was considered unlawfully at large."
Stewart's son discovered at home on November 26 and he was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where he died after falling into a coma. After police informed HMP Altcourse on November 29 that Stewart was in hospital, responsibility shifted from Merseyside Police to Altcourse, reported the Liverpool Echo.
The report stated: "A prison custody officer was appointed as the prison's family liaison officer (FLO). A senior nurse told the FLO that Mr Stewart's prognosis was poor, and, in their opinion, he would not recover. The FLO met with members of Mr Stewart's family, who had already visited Mr Stewart and were aware of the situation. On November 30, prison staff facilitated a visit from a family member, who was in custody at HMP Buckley Hall.
"Other members of Mr Stewart's family continued to visit him. Around 3pm on November 30, hospital staff withdrew Stewart's life support and he passed away at 2pm on December 1, 2022."
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