More time for release gaffe man

Mark Povey, the Wolverhampton man who spent six years free after being turned away from Hewell Grange prison in a Home Office gaffe, is to spend another 15 months behind bars for perverting the course of justice.

Dangerous driver Povey, who was sentenced along with brother Michael, swore at Judge Michael Mott as he was sent down at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday. The 36-year-old was turned away from Hewell in Redditch in 2001 after being transferred from Featherstone.

He was supposed to be serving out the remainder of a sentence for dangerous driving. But after being turned away from the prison gates, he spent six years at home in Broome Road, Low Hill, raising his twins with wife Sharon. He was stopped by police while driving Michael's car and passed on his brother's details.

Judge Mott sentenced 37-year-old Michael, of Prole Street, Park Village, to six months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also given 80 hours unpaid work. The pair had both previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and Mark to a further charge of driving while disqualified.

Judge Mott told Michael: "Pressures exist in these sorts of situations. It would be harsh to send you into custody."

Mark Povey was pulled over in Michael's Fiat Punto on October 17 this year and gave his brother's details.

Mr Timothy Pole, defending Michael, who was in tears in the dock, said: "Michael succumbed to the pressure that his brother used against him."

Mr Mark Knowles, defending Mark Povey, said: "He knows he has caused difficulties for his brother."

In 1994, Mark Povey drove through a red light and killed two people. He served six years for death by dangerous driving but while on early release offended again and was given another four years. Originally sentenced to stay in jail until 2009, he has now been sentenced to an extra 15 months, which is likely to add eight months to his actual spell in jail.