Doncaster prisoner's hunger strike continues after 18 days in protest at sentence

A Doncaster prisoner protesting at his sentence has been on hunger strike now for 18 days.
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Thomas Reay, aged 39, is locked up at HMP Doncaster over a spate of armed robberies at bookmakers in the north east.

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He was part of a gang which got away with thousands of pounds following a series of raids in which staff were threatened with a variety of weapons.

Thomas Reay is on hunger strike at HMP DoncasterThomas Reay is on hunger strike at HMP Doncaster
Thomas Reay is on hunger strike at HMP Doncaster
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Reay, originally from Newcastle, was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence for public protection (IPP) after being deemed a danger to the public.

He was ordered to serve a minimum of six years behind bars but he has served 11 so far.

IPP legislation means that prisoners remain locked up indefinitely until they are no longer deemed a risk.

A petition has been launched calling for Reay’s release and the inmate has also gone on hunger strike to highlight his case.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been written to and Reay is urging supporters to take part in a protest outside HMP Doncaster once arrangements are finalised.

Serco, which runs HMP Doncaster, said in a statement: “He is being seen every day by our health care partners CareUK, and is being cared for in line with

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service protocols.”

In a Facebook post, Reay said: “My crimes don’t warrant the punishment I’m serving. I am not dangerous, I am a danger to nobody.

“All I need is a chance to show everyone this by releasing me.”