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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Sarah Vesty

Prime suspect in disappearance of Dumbarton mum on the run after prison day release

The prime suspect in the disappearance of a Dumbarton mum has absconded from prison.

Dean Woods failed to return to jail after being let out on day release at the weekend.

Now Lisa Brown's family say they are facing a "never ending nightmare" and pleaded with the public to help find the convicted drug dealer, the Daily Record reports.

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The 40-year-old luxury yacht dealer was jailed in February 2020 for 12 years for his part in an £8million cocaine racket and was serving his time at HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire when he disappeared.

Woods, who also uses the alias Simon Connor, was questioned by police in Spain after his former partner, 32-year-old Lisa went missing.

The mum-of-one hasn't been seen since she failed to collect her young son from school in Guadiaro, near San Roque, more than seven years ago.

Woods went on the run but was detained on a European Arrest Warrant at Heathrow Airport for 'conspiracy to murder' in April 2018. He was extradited back to Spain, but investigators were later forced to close the case due to a 'lack of concrete proof'.

The young mum's family fear she was murdered and dumped at sea, but her body has never been found. Woods has always denied any involvement.

Lisa's sister Helen Jordan has now issued a heartfelt appeal for anyone with information about the convict's whereabouts to come forward while hitting out at the decision to place him in an open prison.

The 56-year-old said: "It's like a never ending living nightmare. We're feeling a bit shocked.

"Obviously we know he wasn't in prison for Lisa but we thought that a 12 year sentence would mean he would be away for a wee while.

"Then to learn that two years down the line that he's in an open prison and has been out on day release is absolutely shocking. Somebody has mucked up. Someone has made a big mistake.

"We were speechless. It took a while for it to sink in and then once it did, I started getting angry. It's probably the anger that's kept me going all this time."

Lisa's family found out about Woods absconding via a support group on Facebook earlier this week.

She added: "I would never have known. We'd have just been going along thinking he was still inside, totally unaware that he's on the run again. He could be anywhere.

"Nothing he does, wherever he goes, nothing surprises me about him. He's obviously got help to actually abscond. But I'm not done with this yet. I've got a few things in the fire that I'm looking into.

"I want him caught. If you see him, do the right thing and report it. He's a dangerous individual."

Derbyshire Constabulary have issued a similar appeal to trace Woods, who they believe may have returned to his native Liverpool.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Offenders who are absent from open prison without permission face being moved back to closed conditions and extra time in jail. Prisoners are only moved to open jails after a careful risk assessment and must abide by strict rules to remain there."

A statement from the force said: "We are appealing for information after a convict has failed to return to HMP Sudbury. Dean Woods did not return after a period of day release from the open prison on Saturday 19 November.

"The 40-year-old is currently serving a 12-year sentence for drugs offences. He is described as around 5ft 11in tall, of medium build with short brown hair and brown eyes and speaks with a Liverpool accent. Dean has links to the Liverpool area.

"Anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Derbyshire police quoting reference 884-191122.

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