Manhunt for migrant intercourse offender after mistaken launch from HMP Wandsworth
A manhunt has been launched for a convicted migrant sex offender who is currently on the run after being mistakenly released from prison.
The error at HMP Wandsworth in south London happened on October 29, five days after the high-profile release of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford, according to Sky News. It was also two days after Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced enhanced checks on prisoner releases.
A Met Police spokesperson told the Daily Star: “Shortly after 13:00hrs on Tuesday, 4 November, the Met was informed by the Prison Service that a prisoner had been released in error from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday, 29 October.
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
“The prisoner is a 24-year-old Algerian man. Officers are carrying out urgent enquiries in an effort to locate him and return him to custody.”
Sky News reported the Algerian prisoner was serving time for trespass with an intent to steal but has previously committed sexual offences.
It’s currently not yet known why it had taken nearly a week for the police to have been told the offender was at large.
Following the Kebatu manhunt, deputy prime minister and justice secretary David Lammy promised “the strongest release checks that have ever been in place”.
Mr Lammy ordered an independent investigation into the Kebatu release, which is being led by former Deputy Commissioner of the Met Police Dame Lynne Owens. It has been described as a “national embarrassment” by the Tories, who will no doubt scathe the government once more following this latest mistaken release episode.
The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment.
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