British prisoner escapes from Portuguese jail amid violent past

Mark Roscaleer, a British criminal serving a nine-year sentence for kidnap and robbery, has escaped from a Portuguese prison alongside four other inmates. This incident marks his second escape attempt, following a previous failed attempt five years ago where he tried to squeeze through prison bars after smothering himself in oil. Roscaleer, originally from Runcorn, was convicted in June 2020 for a violent robbery that involved torturing a victim to extract money. The escape occurred with the aid of external accomplices who provided a ladder for the inmates to scale the 20-foot prison wall. Local reports indicate that the escapees were picked up by a small black Mercedes waiting outside the facility. Among the other fugitives are two Portuguese nationals and two Romanians, including a convicted drug trafficker and a money launderer, both serving lengthy sentences. Roscaleer has a history of violent crime, including a 2012 armed robbery at a pub where he threatened the staff with a claw hammer. He had previously escaped from HMP Kirkham in the UK in 2015, only to surrender to police after nine days on the run. His latest escape has prompted a manhunt by Portuguese authorities, who are now actively searching for the group. The Portuguese Prison Service has confirmed that the escape was facilitated by external help, highlighting security concerns within the prison system. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of measures in place to prevent such escapes, especially given Roscaleer's violent history and previous attempts to evade law enforcement.