Colin Nodes started his career as a criminal by dealing in stolen cars and boats. Later he was suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. Like many British criminals, he bought a house in Spain and found it convenient to spend a lot of time in that country.

　　In the mid-1990s, he spent some time in Winchester prison. But he wanted to get out for his wife’s birthday party in Spain. He offered to fetch a cup of tea for one of the prison warders. But instead of returning with the tea, he climbed over the prison wall and escaped. He was later arrested in Spain, and extradited to Britain. As he was taken back into prison, he met the same warder whom he had tricked three years before. “You forgot my tea, Nodes”, said the prison officer. “Sorry about that, sir.”

　　Colin Nodes was later in trouble with the police in Spain, Germany and the Czech Republic as well as in Britain. But now he is dead. The Spanish police have charged two British men with his murder.