Assassination' of a prisoner

9:32am Tuesday 17th April 2001

POLICE believe a prisoner shot dead yards from a resettlement prison in Ham in a professional-style assassination had been in Bromley hours earlier.

David Roads, 55, who started a 10-year sentence for possession of the explosive Semtex and a firearm in 1997, was found dying in a narrow alleyway yards from Latchmere House Prison, at 10.20pm on April 9.

Roads was on his way back from a community work placement with a south London glazing firm when the gunman shot him twice at close range, once in the back of his head and once in the side.

Although Roads was cleared of conspiracy to murder a south London gangland member, Anthony Brindle, in 1997, there is speculation the killing may have been revenge for that attack which was carried out by former IRA terrorist Michael Doyle.

The police described Roads, who weighed 20 stone and was more than 6ft tall, as “a professional criminal with a lot of experience with firearms”.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul McAleenan said Roads, who had moved to the prison last October, “had no links to any paramilitary organisation, but the attack has all the hallmarks of being a well organised attack”.

He said inquiries were underway into Roads' past activities and he would like to hear from anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the area around the prison in Church Road, Ham, in recent weeks.

Police are also anxious to fill in the missing pieces of Roads' last day.

After leaving work at 3pm he saw his wife in Bromley at 4.30pm. At 9.51pm he rang his son on his mobile from nearby Park Road where he had left a black Renault, registration F563 MLH, which as a prisoner he was not allowed to own. He then walked along Sopwith Close to the alley on the way to the prison for the 10pm curfew, something he did regularly.

Call 020 8247 8265 or anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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