Charges withdrawn in HMP riot case

Three men accused of participating in a costly riot at Her Majesty's Penitentiary more than a year ago, that left the prison extensively damaged, have had the charges against them dropped. 

Jody Clarke, Philip Hollihan and Justin Hopkins were supposed to start the first day of trial at Supreme Court in St. John's Wednesday.

However, Crown prosecutor Danny Vavasour indicated there was no liklihood of conviction and the charges were dropped.

The riot in June 2014 caused extensive damage, when inmates flooded the floor, ripped down parts of the ceiling, destroyed light fixtures and gyproc, and even tore off eight cell doors.

At the time, police said the incident began after an inmate asked to be removed from the unit because he feared for his safety.

Several other inmates were implicated in the riot and have had their cases dealt with in court