Prisoner 'too big for his cell'

Prisoner 'too big for his cell'

A Dutchman serving a two-year sentence for fraud is so tall and fat that he claims he is too big for his cell.



By Andy Bloxham 6:52AM GMT 28 Jan 2011

The man, named only as Angelo MacD, was jailed in September but has now gone to court to try to complete his term at home under house arrest.

MacD is 6ft 9ins (2.07m) and weighs 36st (230kg) and claims he cannot sleep properly or use the toilet.

The bed is 6ft 5ins (196cm) long and 2ft 6ins (77cm) wide.

Prison officials have tried to relieve his discomfort by adding a plank and an extra mattress to the bed but MacD’s lawyer, Bas Martens, told a court in The Hague that the conditions violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

He insisted that MacD was not trying to get out of serving his sentence.

Mr Martens said: “My client just wants to serve a comparable sentence without pain.

“He is 2.7m tall and a metre wide and a metre deep.

“He is not obese. He is a giant. He even walks like a giant, like out of the comic books.”

MacD began his sentence in the prison at Krimpen aan de Ussel on 29 September and is not due for release until 12 April 2012.

Other alleged problems included a lack of adequate space for family visits and suitable seating in the prison canteen.

A ruling on the case is expected next month.