A VICIOUS criminal has flouted prison security to brag and put pictures on a social networking website from behind bars.

Kane Barratt was able to update his web page on the Facebook site using a mobile phone. Prison bosses have now launched an investigation.

Prisoners are banned from having mobiles and from using the internet.

Barratt, 20, from Stockport, was jailed after leading a sickening violent crime spree across south Manchester.

Select the "view gallery" link on the right to see pictures from Barratt's Facebook page.

But the MEN has discovered that he has kept in touch with friends and family by updating the internet with words and pictures from his cell at Lancaster Prison in Lancashire.

Through Facebook he:

• Published pictures of himself taken on a mobile phone posing topless in his cell
• Asked the chilling question: "who should I put on my hit list today?"
• Told his girlfriend he was looking forward to seeing her
• Described his visits to the gym
• Chatted with pals who were in trouble with the police 

Some of the updates were made using a mobile phone and others appeared to have been done through a computer.

After the MEN told the Ministry of Justice the page disappeared from Facebook.

Barratt, from Edgeley, was jailed indeterminately and ordered to serve a minimum of five-and-a-half years at Manchester Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to two robberies and three burglaries, claiming he had gone on the spree to pay off an underworld debt.

Acid

In one Heaton Norris burglary a man had acid sprayed in his face before an Audi A4 was stolen. Detectives later found Barratt posing in the car on a picture taken with a disposable camera.

In another he and three other men smashed into Paul and Pauline Dillon's Gatley home as they watched television. Waving machetes they hurled Mrs Dillon to the floor and held a knife to Mr Dillon's throat before stealing their Subaru Impreza.

As he sentenced Barratt, Judge Martin Rudland described the attack as 'shocking'. Today Mr Dillon said he was 'absolutely appalled' that Barratt had been able to communicate through a website. He added: "I just can't believe he's not been checked or searched. He'll probably come away from this with all his mates thinking he's some kind of hero."

While on remand, Barratt, who uses the name Kane Reilly on his facebook profile, posted a series of messages about his appearance in court last May for sentencing.

One says: "Big day on friday i find out when I come home cant wait to play out again."

On the day before one reads: "ill no in 24 hours when im home so see you soon."

In updates made last month after he has been sentenced he says: 'I mite be in here but my sole is out there' and another: 'they can put me behind my door but they cant stop time.'

A particularly chilling update says: "Kane is thinking who should I put on the hit list today."

The updates come at different times of the day. Some centre around trips to the gym.

One reads: 'Kane has just had a nice workout at the gym' and another 'Kane has just got up and is going the gym soon'.

Others state: 'cant wait to see my girl today love you loads.'

Support

There are also a host of messages of support from friends.

One reads: "chin up kid... try and ring me if u can wanna speak to u."

While behind bars Barratt also took a quiz on Stockport, had his fortune told. and took an IQ test. He changed his 'status' on a number of occasions from 'engaged' to 'single' and back again.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said they had launched an investigation.

He added: "Prisoners do not have access to mobile phones or the internet, and cannot personally contribute to websites.

"This form of media is totally unregulated and we have no power to remove a social networking profile from the internet.

"Body Orifice Security Scanners (`BOSS chairs') will soon be introduced estate wide. These will be supported by high sensitivity metal detectors and mobile phone signal detectors.

"The Ministry of Justice has contacted Facebook in order to seek their help in assisting the Prison Service in preventing prisoners from making inappropriate postings on their website."