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Free at last from jail hell

Exclusive by Adam Derbyshire
7/ 5/2008

KYLE Dillon told how he ‘kissed the ground’ outside prison in delight after five months of jail hell came to an end.

The partially-sighted Manchester United fan is back home after spending five months behind bars in Italy since December, after becoming embroiled in skirmishes outside the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The 24-year-old, who maintains his innocence, is trying to re-adjust to normal life after being freed early by a judge in return for a confession.

Three other supporters also convicted of football violence alongside him have also been released.

Kyle, of Arundale Grove, Mottram, said: "It’s great to be home. Although I’ve only been back a few days, that jail cell seems a long, long way away now. My mum cooked us Christmas dinner on Sunday and I finally got to open my presents. Just being able to listen to music again is amazing."

At a hearing in Italy on Friday, the men were told to plead guilty in return for an early release. After discussing the matter with their solicitor, it was decided it was the only option to secure their freedom.

Kyle told us of his ordeal: "The other prisoners were fine, in fact the guards were worse. They’d torment me by showing me letters from home and then snatching them away. The food was terrible and water was kept in a tank in your cell. It was rationed so if you cleaned your cell in the day, you couldn’t drink anything until it filled up again at night."

Kyle’s joy at coming home was tempered by news he’d been sacked from his job as a gas fitter by Direct Line Maintenance.

He added: "According to the date on the envelope, they’d sent my P45 even before the appeal, so now it looks like I’m hunting for another job."

Kyle’s mum Janet, who tirelessly campaigned for his freedom, said: "We’re glad he’s home but it’s upsetting he’s had to confess to something to secure his release.

"But he says his heart ruled his head and you can’t blame him.Now we want to quash the conviction and clear his name."