A prisoner has penned an emotional letter to his dad as he spends his 15th year behind bars for trying to steal a coat and a phone.
Danny Weatherson was handed his jail sentence in 2004 for two attempted robberies.
A judge originally recommended that the 31-year-old serves just over 15 months but was caught up in the controversial Imprisonment for Public Protection sentences.
The IPP sentence was a form of indeterminate sentence which gave offenders a minimum term but not a maximum, reports Chronicle Live .
It was introduced in England and Wales in 2005 before being scraped in 2012.
Danny now has ambitions to bring his long stay behind bars to an end as he is due to stand in front of a parole board early next year.
In an emotional letter to his dad from HMP Northumberland, he wrote: “There’s another one [New Year] done, another Christmas away from you. This is my 15th one. 2004 was my last Christmas outside!! I know I am 32 soon but I should be with my brothers and sisters, not sat here wondering how is everyone. Will I be with you next year?”
Despite its abolition in 2012, 2,223 people jailed under an IPP sentence are still behind bars and 93% are still in prison having passed their tariff expiry date.
Left to “rot in jail”, Danny has now been informed he will stand in front of another parole board in February and has secured a human rights solicitor to fight his cause.
His dad, Maurice Stevens, is raising funds to employ specialist solicitor Kushal Sood to give his son the best chance of freedom and end his nightmare.
He set up a GoFundMe page to raise the £750 cash needed to pay for the lawyer and he hopes Danny will be back on the outside next year.
As he campaigns for Danny’s release, Maurice has shared pictures of happier times of his son enjoying Christmas when he was a schoolboy.
Maurice said: “Each year I hope he’ll be out. He’s spent 15 Christmases in there and that is far too long. It breaks my heart to see him still in there.
“We have more faith in his new solicitor to get him out. We want 2020 to be a good year for Danny.”
Danny has also won support from an ex-con turned campaigner, Pepsi Watson, helping to fight for his prison release.
Originally, a judge recommended Danny serve just over 15 months for two attempted robberies before he could apply for parole.
But he is still behind bars.
Maurice says Danny has been diagnosed with blood clots on his lungs and is taking medication.
Danny added in his letter: “My lungs are hurting really bad today as well. Da it’s stopping me going on the yard for fresh air as its far too cold. My new solicitor Kushal is putting in for compassionate grounds and release if that fails ???
“...A Judicial review?? Honestly Da after my visit with him [Kushal] for the first time since day one I came away feeling like we got a good chance.
“Hope that’s what he’s given me.
“...Once again sorry I’m not there but I wish them merry Crimbo and all the best for New Year. I’m looking forward to seeing you on my visit Friday.
“Take Care Da. Love and miss you loads, Danny Boy xx.”
