'Sex offender' mistakenly released from Wandsworth prison identified
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old man of Algerian descent, has been identified as the individual mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth in London on October 29. He remains at large after his accidental release from the high-security prison.
Kaddour-Cherif had recently appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in September, where he faced charges for failing to comply with sex offender requirements. He was serving a sentence for trespassing with intent to steal and had a history of sexual offences.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed his identity and heritage, noting that officers are conducting urgent inquiries to locate him and return him to custody.
“Local residents will quite rightly be deeply concerned. We urgently need answers from the Government and Ministry of Justice as to how this was allowed to happen.”
— Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP for Tooting
Dr Rosena Allin-Khan expressed deep concern and said she was horrified by the release, calling attention to the prisoner's serious criminal record.
Similar recent incident
This case follows another recent mistake when Hadush Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national and convicted sex offender, was inadvertently released from HMP Chelmsford in Essex. He was later apprehended by plain-clothed officers in a north London park three days after his escape on October 26.
Authorities are now reviewing prison release procedures after two accidental releases occurred within a single week.
Author’s summary
A man serving time at Wandsworth prison was wrongly released and is still missing, sparking government and police efforts to find him and prevent similar errors.