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Wrongly Freed Wandsworth Inmate Recaptured in North London

The arrest follows a six-day delay in notifying police of his erroneous release.

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A Serco security van enters HMP Wandsworth prison in London, UK, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. The UK's new government said it will release low-risk prisoners after they've served 40% of their sentences, compared with 50% currently, as part of a bid to address an overcrowding crisis in the country's jails. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • The Metropolitan Police said Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was detained at 11:30am on Friday in the Finsbury Park area after a member of the public reported a sighting, and he was arrested for being unlawfully at large.
  • Kaddour-Cherif was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth on October 29 while serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal; he has a prior conviction for indecent exposure.
  • Police were informed of his release at 1pm on November 4, prompting a manhunt that highlighted operational gaps at the prison, which has been in special measures.
  • A second prisoner, William (Billy) Smith, 35, who was also wrongly released from Wandsworth on Monday after a court records error, has returned to custody after handing himself in.
  • An independent investigation led by Dame Lynne Owens is examining the rise in mistaken releases as the Ministry of Justice enforces tougher release checks and ministers face scrutiny over handling and communication.