Machete drugs gang chief who threatened to knife heavily-pregnant woman is found dead in jail
Cops launch a probe after Robert Chapman, 26, dies months into a six-and-a-half year sentence
A LAG who was jailed for leading a knife-wielding drugs gang has died in prison.
Robert Chapman died at HMP Northumberland on Friday.
He was four months into a six-and-a-half year sentence for drugs and weapons offences.
The 26-year-old from Thornaby, Teeside, was at the head of a three-man 'drugs taxing' gang.
They intimidated local dealers in the area into handing over cash or drugs for them sell on themselves.
Chapman had already served time in jail for a separate house raid in 2011.
He and two others broke into a woman's house and made her drive to a cash machine at knife-point to empty her account.
She managed to flee from her car barefoot.
It has not yet been made clear how Chapman died.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has began a probe.
A spokesperson said: “As with all deaths in custody, there will be an investigation by the police and the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and so we are unable to comment further.”
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