Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jul 2004 Source: Hull Daily Mail (UK) Copyright: 2004 Northcliffe Newspapers Group Ltd Contact: http://www.thisishull.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1181 PRISONER'S PROTEST AFTER FAILING TEST A Prisoner convicted as part of the Operation Hatch drugs clamp-down has gone on hunger strike. Wayne Holmes has refused food and water since July 10 and has been moved to Hull Royal Infirmary. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison on March 2 for three counts of supplying class A drugs. It was part of Humberside Police's biggest drugs operation yet. The 26-year-old was released into the community with an electronic tag last month, but taken back into prison after failing a cannabis test. He insisted he was innocent, and began his hunger strike in protest, saying he is determined to continue with it until he is set free. But the Prison Service has stood its ground and he has agreed to be put on a drip after an appeal by his mother, Karen. Speaking from hospital, Mr Holmes said: "I have not smoked cannabis since I got out of prison. I will go on for as long as it takes. I have done nothing wrong." His mother, who is concerned about his health, said: "Wayne is going downhill. He has lost a lot of weight and seems like he is giving up. "I am so desperate for him to get some fluid down him. But he is determined and I do not think he will give up.'' Mr and Mrs Holmes visit their son twice a day. They say the protest is tearing the family apart. "Wayne might be in his 20s but he is still my little boy," said Mrs Holmes. "It is affecting the whole family. His eight-year-old sister Shannon went to visit him and she ran out of the hospital because she was absolutely devastated." "I have tried to comfort Wayne but it is so hard. "I would just love to start seeing him eating. He only took the drip after I pleaded with him. "It would destroy me if anything happened to him." Mr Holmes, 51, said: "He is determined not to give in. He is bleeding from his kidneys and he is getting worse every day. "I have tried to convince him. He is determined and when he has that in his head, he will not give in." A Home Office spokesman said: "A prisoner is refusing to take food and water and has done since July 10. He has been taken to an outside hospital." A spokesman for Hull Royal Infirmary confirmed that Mr Holmes was a patient at the hospital. Mr Holmes has said he will continue with his hunger strike until the prison clears him of taking drugs during the time he was released. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D