Wrongful Release of Two Prisoners Sparks Manhunt in London
Surrey Police confirmed that Billy Smith voluntarily returned to HMP Wandsworth after being mistakenly released. Meanwhile, a manhunt is underway for 24-year-old Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a convicted Algerian sex offender, who was also accidentally freed from the same prison.
Details of the Accidental Releases
- Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was freed from HMP Wandsworth on October 29, though the Metropolitan Police only learned of the error on Tuesday.
- William Smith, 35, jailed for 45 months for fraud, was mistakenly released the day he was sentenced but has since handed himself back to prison, accompanied by his partner.
Government and Justice System Under Scrutiny
The incident has caused significant embarrassment for the government, following a previous case where migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford last month.
David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, faced criticism for not addressing Kaddour-Cherif’s release during Prime Minister’s Questions, despite reportedly knowing and having a statement ready.
He was accused of not clarifying if other asylum seekers were also mistakenly freed but later expressed that he was “absolutely outraged” by the situation. Reports indicate that Lammy delayed his statement to avoid interfering with the police investigation.
Summary
The accidental release of two prisoners from the same London jail has triggered a manhunt and political pressure, highlighting critical issues within the justice system's prisoner management.
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