Three men who broke out of jail and escaped to America have returned - with several thousand pounds for children's charities.
The self-named Basildon Bandits - Insp Pat Mahoney from Basildon police, Brentwood-based firefighter Dave Parratt and Grays businessman Alan Peaford - all broke out of Chelmsford jail and were set the task of getting as far away as possible within 15 hours.
Their escape from Chelmsford went according to plan, even though they were all attached to balls and chains.
They managed to get as far as Essex in County Connecticut, their original target, where they were promptly arrested by Essex Police, US style.
The trio raised thousands of pounds for the Sunshine Centre in Tilbury and the Essex Boys Club organisation.
Published Friday November 1, 2002
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