Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a registered sex offender mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth along with William “Billy” Smith, has been apprehended after evading authorities for several days.
Kaddour-Cherif, aged 24 and hailing from Algeria, was erroneously set free on October 29 due to a mix-up in the prison system, where his actual custodial sentence for knife possession was confused with a suspended one. The inmate, who is on the sex offenders’ registry for a five-year term, had previously been convicted of indecent exposure in November 24 and received a community order. He was captured at 11:30 am in Finsbury Park, north London, in a dramatic arrest captured on camera.
The Metropolitan Police disclosed that a member of the public spotted the sex offender earlier today, leading officers to swiftly arrest the individual.
In a social media announcement, the Met Police stated, “Officers have apprehended Brahim Kaddour Cherif, who was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth on 29 October. Cherif was sighted by a member of the public in Blackhorse Lane, Islington, just before 11:30 am. Immediate police response led to his arrest.”
Video footage of the arrest showed a police officer noting the suspect’s resemblance and identifying him by his distinctive features, despite Kaddour-Cherif’s denial and outburst about the UK justice system’s mistake in releasing individuals unintentionally. The police were observed comparing images of wanted individuals on their phones to the suspect’s face.
The Met Police confirmed the suspect’s identity and arrested him for being unlawfully at large, as well as on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in a prior incident. He has been taken into police custody, with the Prison Service notified.
Although the release error occurred on October 29, it was not reported to the London Metropolitan Police until November 4. Despite this delay, the authorities managed to locate and return Kaddour-Cherif to Wandsworth after a search across London, where it was believed he had connections to Tower Hamlets and had spent time in Westminster.
Initially serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal, the individual had a prior conviction for indecent exposure. While not seeking asylum, he is in the process of deportation due to visa overstay.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy responded to the apprehension of the wrongly freed foreign prisoner from HMP Wandsworth, expressing gratitude to the law enforcement and prison staff for their efforts in the recapture. Lammy acknowledged the systemic challenges within the prison system, emphasizing ongoing reforms to address release errors and outdated operational procedures.
Following Smith’s self-surrender to authorities after being mistakenly released on Monday, the situation highlighted the need for enhanced release verification processes and modernizing prison systems to prevent further errors.
