Police Launch Manhunt After Another Foreign Prisoner Mistakenly Released
Police have initiated a manhunt following the accidental release of a foreign prisoner. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed that he is “absolutely outraged” by the incident.
Details of the Incident
On October 29, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian sex offender, was mistakenly freed from HMP Wandsworth in south-west London. The error was reported to the Metropolitan Police only on Tuesday, according to the force.
Kaddour-Cherif had been serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal, but sources confirmed he had prior convictions for indecent exposure.
Context of Previous Similar Releases
This event follows shortly after migrant Hadush Kebatu was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford on October 24. Kebatu had been jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Epping.
Government Response and Parliamentary Exchange
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Justice Secretary David Lammy, deputizing while Sir Keir Starmer attended the Cop30 summit in Brazil, declined to confirm on five occasions whether other asylum seekers had been accidentally released.
“I want to ask him a further very important question – can he reassure the House that since Kebatu was released, no other asylum seeking offender has been accidentally let out of prison?” asked Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, filling in for Kemi Badenoch.
Mr Lammy, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, refused to provide confirmation and criticized the justice system inherited from the Conservatives.
Summary
The recent accidental release of foreign prisoners, including sex offenders, has prompted a manhunt and raised serious concerns about the current justice system's management of offenders in custody.
Author’s Note
This case highlights ongoing flaws in prisoner management and oversight, reflecting deeper systemic issues within the justice system.