17 November 1978

TV transmitter
sparks jail riot

In scenes reminiscent of the disturbances at Hull two years earlier, violence erupted at HM Prison Leeds when a fault in the local television transmitter caused inmates to miss the second episode of Butterflies. The whimsical BBC sitcom starred Wendy Craig as a melancholy housewife "imprisoned" by her humdrum existence, and was a particular favourite of the jail population. Twelve officers and two prisoners were injured in the violence and £50,000 worth of damage was inflicted on buildings and property.

HMP Leeds in quieter times
Picture: PA

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