Prisoner sues over 'sweaty' van

A convict is suing the Prison Service because he says he became sweaty during a van trip to court.

Michael Ashton, 50, who is serving a four-year jail sentence for fraud, claims the journey from a Suffolk prison to a London court made him too hot and infringed his human rights.

In the writ, he also claims the Prison Service that he was treated cruelly and shackled like a wild animal.

Ashton was taken in a Group 4 security van from Highpoint jail to the High Court in London.

He was on his way to a hearing concerning his son.

Compensation demand

But he says the journey breached his human rights as he was handcuffed to a Group 4 officer and refused a private consultation with his lawyer.

He says the way he was treated and manhandled was distressing.

Ashton, who is now at Leyhill Open Prison, Gloucestershire, has issued a High Court writ demanding compensation - thought to be in the region of £50,000.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "We can confirm that we have received representation from HMP Leyhill which has been passed on for consideration."