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Light aircraft that crashed in pensioner's garden was carrying convicted drug dealer on day release
Last updated at 16:07pm on 26.02.08A light aircraft that crash-landed in a pensioner's back garden was carrying a prisoner on day release, it emerged today.
The convict was a passenger in the Cessna 172 when the aircraft crashed in trees in the back garden of Eileen and Alfred Watling's garden in Folkestone, Kent.
The elderly couple watched in amazement as the prisoner and the pilot emerged from the wreckage and dropped to the ground, shortly after taking off from Rochester Airport in Kent.
The convict, who has not been named, was serving his sentence for importing drugs at Blantyre House Prison, Goudhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
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Stunned: Pensioner Eileen Watling and her new garden ornament in Folkestone, Kent
He had been let out of the category C prison on day release. The 12-hour formal leave of absence is granted to allow inmates to maintain ties with their families.
The pilot, also unnamed, was forced to ground the plane at approximately 3.15pm but both he and his passenger escaped with only minor injuries.
It is not yet known what caused the crash but the Air Accidents Investigation Branch were last night investigating the possible causes.
Both men were taken to William Harvey Hospital after the incident and treated for minor injuries.
The convicted man was then taken to Maidstone Prison in Kent.
The incident comes less than a month after Blantyres deputy governor Kim Coulstock was suspended for alleged irregularities concerning prisoner movements. Internal investigations are continuing.
Mrs Watling, 71, who lives at the house with her 83-year-old husband, said: "It was so sudden, we'd just started watching a film when there was an almighty crash. We thought the house had collapsed.
"I looked out of the window and saw the conifers had come down and there were no electricity lines. Then I saw the plane.
"When the pilot came out he was covered in blood, then the passenger came down out of the trees. I managed to get them into the conservatory and got a towel to stop the bleeding from the pilot's head.
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What a sight: The wrecked plane, as seen from a neighbour's garden
"He said 'I'm so sorry to do this to you' and I said, 'not to worry your health is more important'.
"We realise how lucky we've been. The plane was 10ft from our neighbour's house. If it had hit them first, it could have exploded. Somebody was looking out for us."
A spokesman for Kent Police said: "We don't know what caused the crash but they managed to get the aircraft down without injuring themselves or anyone else.
"Fortunately it is a very rural area and I understand the garden in question was quite large.
"The pilot was from Maidstone and his passenger from Cranbrook."
Emergency services went to the scene at the property off Stone Street, in Farthing Common, near Folkestone, Kent.
Reader views (12)
Had the pilot logged a flight plan?
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England
It is interesting to speculate why a criminal on day release, following a drugs importation conviction, might be in need of a private plane. It seems a distinct possibility that his motives might not be completely above board.
Did he hire the plane? If not who did? What was he using it for? Where was he going?
- Naomi Sajeri, Manchester
In another report the pilot said he thought the roof tiles of the house were the furrows of a ploughed field. Maybe his passenger had sharing his imports with him.
- Tom, Watford UK
Gosh, what was he doing in a plane, and who was paying for it?
- Trunk, UK
I wonder if there is such a thing as Italian spirit? Isn't an "immigrant" a person that lives in a country other than their own? Curious. Whatever, Mrs.Watling sounds like quite a lady.
- Juan Mendoza, Madrid
Good old 'tough on the causes of crime' nuLiebour - a convicted drug smuggler gets day trips in a private plane to visit his family! what happened to Transit vans - or even the train! No wonder the cost of keeping someone in jail is so high! I guess the chauffeur driven limousine was unavailable?
- Gary Parker, Amersham
I wonder where the prisoner was being flown to?
- David Holmes, Worcester UK
Nice to see that criminals get top of the range transport facilities (a light aircraft), whilst the rest of us have to use our cars or public transport!
Also do please forgive me here for my obvious lack of knowledge but isn't the "importing of drugs" NOT a serious crime any more? Why is 12-hour formal leave of absence granted to allow inmates to maintain ties with their families? Shouldn't the criminals have thought of that prior to committing their crimes?
Is this just another airy fairy Human Rights requirement in order to protect convicts feelings? What about the the feelings, support and protection for the families of those who have either died and/or are seriously psychologically messed-up as a result of either their past or ongoing drug taking?
Hopefully the prisoner didn't forget to collect his air miles!
Finally, I do feel immensely sorry for Mr & Mrs Watling.
- Fraser, Telford Park
It's a good job the Air Accidents Investigation Branch is investigating - seeing as how they crashed into a tree.
- Dt, Harrow, UK
Leyland cypresses have a use after all - nice and springy for bringing crashing planes to a safe stop!
- Nigel, London
I hate it when light aircraft crash in my garden, it's such a pain to clear up the mess.
- Lee Rarjet, Luton
That's the true English spirit that probably Gordon Brown doesn't understand and sure it can't be assimilated by all the immigrants he's letting into the country.
- Linda Tricker, rimini,italy
