Soccer star in death crash is let out of jail...to sign for next club

Former West Bromwich Albion striker Lee Hughes was driven by a prison officer to Oldham Athletic, where he is believed to have spent several hours finalising a lucrative deal.

His excursion prompted anger from road safety campaigners and relatives of his victims, who said it made "a mockery of the criminal justice system".

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Sources said inmates at Featherstone prison near Wolverhampton are also "livid" at what they perceive as preferential treatment.

Hughes's parole hearing is not until August. If, as expected, it is successful, the 31-year-old will be released halfway through his six-year sentence - allowing him to begin playing for Oldham at the start of the season.

Hughes was jailed in 2004 for causing death by dangerous driving after his high-powered £100,000 Mercedes ploughed head-on into a Renault Scenic on a country lane near Coventry at midnight.

Hughes had been at a post-match drinking session, but denied being over the limit. However, he fled the crash scene - thereby avoiding a breath test - and was on the run for 36 hours.

The crash killed father-of-four Douglas Graham, 56, as well as injuring his wife Maureen, the Renault's driver Albert Frisby and another passenger. At his trial, the judge told Hughes he had shown a callous disregard for his victim.

West Brom ended his £15,000-a-week contract, but his career was resurrected in May when he was approached by League One side Oldham.

It is understood the governor of Featherstone, Simon Cartwright, originally turned down Hughes's request to visit Oldham. But while he was on holiday one of his deputies sanctioned the day trip.

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A prison source said: "Hughes left at 9am on June 12 and came back at 5.35pm. He was with just one officer - normally there are two - who drove him in a prison car. He wasn't handcuffed, though normally he would have been."

Prisoners in medium-security category C jails such as Featherstone can apply for day release but it must be for a "clear purpose" - and not something that could be done after release.

Barry Owen, director of Oldham Athletic, said: "The club does not condone what happened. However, Lee Hughes is now nearing the end of his sentence.

"As far as the club is concerned, Lee deserves a second chance and we consider this a top-class signing. We would ask supporters not to pass moral judgment."

But a relative of Albert Frisby, who was crippled in the crash, said: "Albert is distraught at how Hughes is being treated. It makes a fool of the law and a mockery of justice that Albert is left to suffer while this man can be driven around the country for job interviews. It's a scandal."

A spokeswoman for road safety charity Brake said Hughes's treatment sent a distressing signal to the victim's family.

The Prison Service said that as part of the rehabilitation process, they "provide opportunities for suitable prisoners nearing the end of their sentence to find appropriate employment".