Nationality Irish | ||
Known for Successfully escaping the Verne prison in 1955 | ||
John Patrick Hannan is the world's most successful prison fugitive who has been on the run for sixty years; escaping with his inmate Gwynant Thomas who was later returned to the prison. John Hannon holds the record for the longest escape from custody after he escaped from Verne Prison, located in Portland, in December 1955. In 2001, Hannan overtook double killer Leonard Fristoe's record of 45 years and 11 months. In 1998, Dorset Police appealed directly to Hannan to give himself up. In a force newsletter, officers said: "If you read this Mr Hannan please write in, we'd love to hear from you."
Escaping the Verne
Hannan was sentenced to 21 months behind bars for stealing a car and assaulting two police officers, but he broke out from the facility with fellow inmate Gwynant Thomas after just 30 days by using a knotted bed sheet to climb over the wall. After escaping, they then burgled a nearby gas station and stole overcoats, beer and cigarettes before leaving the isle. Thomas, who was also 22, was detained and returned to the prison within 16 hours after being spotted by a truck driver.