■ By DAVID POWELL Daily Post Reporter david.powell@trinitymirror.com
TWENTY criminals including murderers and arsonists have been granted unescorted leave in the last three years from the secure unit from which vicar killer Richard Dennick absconded.
The patients were all residents at Tŷ Llywelyn in Llanfairfechan from which Dennick, 48, went missing in September after being allowed out alone. He handed himself in 24 hours later in London.
In an answer to a Freedom of Information Act request, Betsi Cadwaladar University Health Board said: “We can advise that over the past three financial years a total of 20 patients were granted unescorted leave.”
But the health board was initially reluctant to divulge their crimes, citing confidentiality. The Daily Post appealed against that decision and BCUHB then “reviewed” the situation and came out with more information.
The FOI answer stated: “All patients would have commenced unescorted leave for the shortest period. Of these patients, there was a range of offences identified including arson, assault, actual bodily harm, wounding, attempted murder and murder.
“Those who would have had longest period unescorted leave are those that were discharged into the community. Those convictions included arson, assault, wounding, actual bodily harm and attempted murder. All periods are approved by the Ministry of Justice.”
They revealed “unescorted leave” means patients are “initially in hospital grounds” for “short timed periods”. This is then extended to the “local village and wider community”.
When Dennick (left) went missing and his murderous past was revealed by police the day after his disappearance, there was an outcry that such patients were allowed out on their own. Police said at the time Dennick was without his medication and could become unpredictable.
A special liaison committee was set up in the wake of the incident to try to alleviate the community’s concerns.
It is understood Dennick remains at the unit, but it is not known if he is still allowed out on unaccompanied leave.