Yahoo News Former detective believes Daniel Gee could be back in Liverpool
The pull of home and an established criminal network could be reasons why absconded prisoner Daniel Gee has returned to Liverpool, believes a former Scotland Yard detective.
Ex-Metropolitan Police officer Peter Bleksley told the ECHO that Gee, a former gang leader who ran a drug network on Everton's Grizedale estate with his brother Darren, likely has a criminal network that is helping him stay on the run. Gee absconded from Kirklevington Grange - a category D open prison in the north east on May 27.
Since then the most definitive clue as to his whereabouts has come from CCTV footage released by investigating force Cleveland Police, which showed Gee boarding a train from Darlington towards Liverpool Lime Street. Investigators do not know at this time what stop the absconded man would have got off at.
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Mr Bleksley, who starred in Channel 4 show Hunted, offered an insight into the mindset of Gee and the efforts that would be taken by investigators. He told the ECHO: "In terms of staying on the run, a fugitive needs a network. They need someone to feed them, house them, clothe them, transport them.
"If you are on your own you have to resort to crime to get money and that means you'll be more likely to come to the attention of the police. Being a fugitive on your own is virtually an impossibility. So many fugitives can't resist the pull of home. That's where they know they have an established network.
"It's their home territory. Liverpool being a port city also allows criminals the opportunity to flee to a number of places. He could have returned to Liverpool so his network could then get him out of the country."
Mr Bleksley, who has spent a number of years investigating the whereabouts of Liverpool's most wanted Kevin Parle, said the investigation into Gee came down to a matter of resources. He said: "Anyone can be caught, but it's all about time, effort and resources.
"It's as simple as that. Gee and his family are high profile. I'm sure catching him is a matter of urgency but there are also more pressing matters. Every police force has a number of unsolved murders that demand a lot of time and effort from investigating detectives. It's a case of how many of your resources you can deploy."
Cleveland Police told the ECHO this week that, despite the investigations likely shifting to the north west, its officers were still leading the investigation. However, a spokesperson said that could change soon, with Merseyside Police confirming its officers were assisting in the investigation.
Mr Bleksley said while all inmates are sent to a category D as they prepare for release, this was "a perfect example of where it backfires". However, he added: "When he is inevitably caught, this will set him back in terms of his parole."
Gee was jailed indefinitely in 2010 for the public's protection following his conviction for gun offences. The courts heard he had plotted to arm himself after making death threats to 16-year-old gunman Jamie Starkey.
Gee was seriously injured after being shot by Starkey, which happened outside an Anfield pub in the early hours, with one of the bullets piercing his stomach and lung before going out his back. In a trial in October 2009, Gee was found guilty of two counts of threats to kill and another two of blackmail.
Jurors were unable to agree on the two more serious charges of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition. As his second trial was about to start, Gee, formerly of Maryport Close, Everton, admitted the second charge. Prosecutor Ian Unsworth KC said Gee’s desire for revenge “knew no bounds”.
The then Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe KC, said: "I am in no doubt that the public must be protected from you in the future. I really do not know when it will be safe to release you."
Since Gee absconded a number of true-crime podcasters, including his brother, have offered their thoughts on where he has gone and why. Speaking on an episode of the Criminal Connection Podcast, Darren, now 45, said: I am hoping it's a planned abscond. If it's an emotional abscond, it's going to go wrong. If it's planned then hopefully he is out the country."
Neil 'Sam' Samworth - a former guard at Strangeways prison who counts Darren Gee among his former inmates - added the absconded man can turn his life around but will face additional prison time when he is finally caught.
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