A wave of shock and concern has spread across Buckinghamshire and beyond after news broke that a convicted gunman, Brian Odour, 34, is on the run following his escape from HMP Springhill. Authorities say Odour failed to return to the men’s open prison on Tuesday after being granted temporary licence leave—a privilege typically reserved for low-risk inmates.
Now, with a manhunt in full swing and police urging the public not to approach him, serious questions are being raised about how a convicted criminal, sentenced for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, was able to walk free from a facility with limited security oversight.
This alarming development has ignited national debates about open prison policies, sparked fear in the community, and triggered an all-hands search operation by Thames Valley Police. Here’s everything you need to know about the fugitive on the loose, the public response, and the policy implications shaking the UK’s justice system.
Who Is Brian Odour?
Brian Odour isn’t just a runaway inmate. He’s a convicted gunman serving a sentence for one of the most serious crimes in UK law—possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. This conviction alone paints a very real picture of the threat level he poses, making his escape all the more concerning.
Background and Criminal Record
Brian Odour is 34 years old, and while not much is publicly available about his personal history, what is known is significant: he was found guilty of firearm-related offenses, specifically possessing a weapon with the clear intention to cause harm or potentially take a life. This isn’t just a case of illegal possession. The charge “with intent to endanger life” signals that his actions posed a direct threat to public safety.
His sentence, although undisclosed in exact terms, would have been considerable—typically several years behind bars for such a charge. Yet, he was allowed to serve time in an open prison—raising more than a few eyebrows given the severity of his crime.
Why Was He in an Open Prison?
Open prisons like HMP Springhill are designed for inmates nearing the end of their sentences or those considered low-risk and suitable for reintegration. They offer relaxed conditions and sometimes allow prisoners to leave on temporary licence for work, family visits, or community service—known as ROTL (Release on Temporary Licence).
But here’s the controversy: how does someone convicted of a violent, firearm-related crime end up in such a facility? Critics argue this isn’t a case of rehabilitation—it’s a failure of the system.
Supporters of open prisons claim that every inmate is carefully vetted, and those selected for open conditions are typically deemed no longer a public threat. But Odour’s disappearance is now casting doubt on that assessment. In fact, it’s leading many to believe that the vetting process might be dangerously flawed.
Timeline of the Escape
Escapes from open prisons are, sadly, not entirely rare. But what makes this one stand out is both the profile of the inmate and the apparent lack of immediate containment.
What Happened at HMP Springhill?
The incident occurred on Tuesday when Odour was given temporary licence to leave HMP Springhill. Such leave is usually time-bound and closely monitored. But Odour didn’t return. It wasn’t until the evening check-in, hours later, that staff realized he had failed to come back—by then, he had a significant head start.
No details have been released about the exact purpose of his leave, nor whether any supervision was in place. But what is clear is that he was able to exploit the leniency of the system and vanish.
Police Response and Immediate Search
As soon as it was confirmed that Odour had absconded, Thames Valley Police launched a full-scale search. Public warnings were swiftly issued, urging residents not to approach him under any circumstances and to contact emergency services immediately if he was spotted.
The force released a photo and description of the fugitive and confirmed that he is believed to be dangerous. At this point, the priority is public safety, and the search is expanding across county lines as authorities work around the clock to track him down.
