Seven charged following Ford prison riot

Six are charged with an arson offence and violent disorder and the seventh is charged with violent disorder after the riot on New Year’s Day.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had authorised Sussex Police to charge the men who would appear before Chichester magistrates on Friday, July 29.

The South East complex casework unit of the Crown Prosecution Service authorised Sussex Police to charge the suspects.

Simon Ringrose, the unit’s crown advocate, announced the decision.

He said: “I have today advised Sussex Police to charge seven men in relation to the mass disturbance at Ford Prison during the early hours of New Year’s Day this year during which a number of inmates were engaged in a concerted attack on prison property and threats made to other inmates and prison officers.

“This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”

Roche Allen, Lennie Franklin, Ryan Martin, Thomas Regan, Lee Roberts and Paul Hadcroft have all been charged with arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and violent disorder.

Carniel Francis has been charged with violent disorder.

HMP Ford accepts category D offenders who have under two years left to serve.

The prison holds about 500 inmates and in the early stages of the disturbance, two officers and four support staff were on duty.