Alleged rapist leaves UK earlier than trial after courtroom blunder sees him mistakenly launched
A defendant charged with serious offences was mistakenly released from custody after a court official accidentally issued a bail notice – he then left the country ahead of his trial
Isleworth Crown Court (Image: Getty Images)
A suspected rapist has been mistakenly released from prison and managed to flee the country just weeks before he was due to face trial. The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was being detained in custody at a UK prison whilst charged with numerous allegations of rape, sexual assault and violence against a woman.
Following a pre-trial hearing in early February, a court official mistakenly informed the prison that the defendant could be freed on bail, prompting his release from custody.
He subsequently departed the country shortly after regaining his liberty. Details of the case surfaced as a senior London judge urged the Government to step in to try to guarantee the man returns to face trial.
“Although such errors are extremely rare, and indeed this is the only instance I am aware of when there has been an erroneous release of a prisoner held in custody to this court, we take this error extremely seriously,” said Judge Martin Edmunds KC, the Recorder of Kensington and Chelsea, in a ruling.
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“We will fully investigate how it occurred and what steps can be put in place to prevent it occurring again.”
Isleworth Crown Court heard the defendant, who refutes all the charges against him, was remanded in custody after being charged with multiple counts of rape, and was initially due to face trial in June this year.
He appeared in court on January 26 for a hearing to consider whether his trial date should be brought forward to March. At a subsequent hearing on February 6, when the defendant wasn’t transported to court from custody, an error occurred that resulted in his mistaken liberation.
“By error on the part of HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) at the court, the court issued a notice of grant of bail,” explained the judge, noting that confusion seemingly arose because the defendant is facing a separate criminal matter in which he has been granted bail.
“A mistake was made assuming he was on bail on both matters,” stated the judge.
The defendant’s barrister informed the court on Friday that her client departed the UK for a European nation following his erroneous prison release, and whilst he claims he wishes to return to face trial, he cannot travel.
“He is now in a position where he is unable to return to the jurisdiction,” she explained. “He is unable – without further assistance from the state – to return to the country.”
The court heard he left Britain using the passport issued by his country of origin, and cannot now secure a visa to return to the UK because his British passport remains in police possession and he also cannot specify on which date he will return.
“What I consider is required is confirmation from Foreign or Home Office that confirms that arrangements are in place, that if the defendant chooses to engage with them, will allow him to return to the UK,” declared the judge.
“In short, a clear and practical plan.”
A subsequent court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to establish whether the March trial can proceed and if the defendant will be permitted to return to the UK.
The issue of prisoners being mistakenly released gained significant attention last autumn when it was revealed that HMP Wandsworth had incorrectly freed a convicted sex offender and a fraudster.
Official statistics revealed that in the year to March 2025, 262 inmates had been erroneously released – a 128% rise from the 115 in the preceding 12 months.
The Government addressed the crisis by pledging to enhance prison systems responsible for managing releases.
