Criminal launched in error from jail after surname mix-up blunder

A fraudster who is on the run was accidentally released from prison because his sentence was mixed up with someone else with the same surname.

William Smith – also known as Billy – was sentenced to 45 months for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court on Monday. But he was released in error after the wrong sentence was put into the system next to his name. Police are now hunting him down to return him to prison.

He was sentenced alongside his co-defendant, with court listings showing that a Joseph Smith was also up in court with him.

The Mirror understands Smith’s co-defendant, who was on bail and attended court in person, received a suspended sentence, allowing him to walk free. Billy, who was being held on remand in HMP Wandsworth appeared via video link, where he received a custodial sentence.

But the sentences were mixed up when put into the digital system, with Billy given a suspended sentence in error. The blunder then triggered the release process for Billy.

Officials realised the wrong sentence had been put into the system and tried to correct the error earlier on Monday, but another mistake was made – and the wrong person was notified about the error. Billy was then mistakenly released on Monday before it could be corrected.

Surrey Police put out an appeal to find Billy Smith, 35, who was released in error. Surrey Police said Smith was last seen wearing a navy long sleeve jumper with the Nike brand “tick” across the front in white, navy blue tracksuit bottoms with a Nike “tick” in white on the left pocket, and black trainers.

He has links to Woking but could be anywhere in Surrey, the force said.

It comes just hours after it emerged that Algerian national Brahim Kaddour Cherif was also mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth. Police are urgently looking for him.