Sunday night isn't quite Sunday night without an episode of 24 Hours in Police Custody, right? Recently, Channel 4 has treated us to a variety of new episodes, like the two-parter following the murders of Josh and Gary Dunmore or the terrifying case of Nicholas Prosper, as well as old classics, including Breakout and The Norfolk Narco Cartel.
One particularly memorable character from the 24 Hours in Police Custody: The Norfolk Narco Cartel episode, which first aired in January 2025, is Toby Bunting, and so we got to wondering: where is he now?
Where is Toby Bunting from 24 Hours in Police Custody now?
In 2024, nurse Toby Bunting was caught driving on the A47 with thousands of pounds worth of crystal meth and cocaine. He was arrested, as we see in 24 Hours in Police Custody, and an investigation revealed his ties to a much wider drug operation.
At court, Bunting pleaded guilty to multiple charges relating to the possession and intention to supply Class A and Class B drugs, possession of criminal property, and possession of a taser. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Following his conviction, a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) hearing determined Bunting's actions were fundamentally incompatible with remaining on the nursing register. As such, 52-year-old Bunting was struck off from practising as a nurse in October 2025. "The panel determined that, in this case, a finding of impairment on public interest grounds was required," the NMC ruling read.
"Mr Bunting's conviction was so serious as to warrant a 30-month custodial sentence, which would bring the profession into disrepute if no action was taken," it continued. "He should have been aware of the harm his conduct could have caused."
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The report went on: "The panel was satisfied that Mr Bunting's fitness to practise is currently impaired on the basis of public protection and public interest grounds."
Since being struck off the nursing register and sent to prison, Bunting has seemingly turned his life around – although he is still serving his sentence at HMP Norwich. He is currently working as a mentor co-ordinator for the Shannon Trust, a charity that runs reading programmes to support the estimated 70% of inmates who cannot read. Speaking to ITV about his involvement in the Shannon Trust, Bunting said the role has "saved" his life.
"I'd given up," he said. "I'd made some mistakes, made some stupid decisions, and I threw away a 24-year career in the NHS."
"I do it non-stop, seven days a week," Bunting continued of the work he does, which he describes as "just amazing".
Given his fixed-term sentence, Bunting is likely to be released sometime in early to mid-2026.
Watch 24 Hours in Police Custody: The Norfolk Narco Cartel on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday 21 December, or stream now online.
