An Algerian man who was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth has been re-arrested in London, days after his unexpected release sparked public outcry and political scrutiny.
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, was spotted near Finsbury Park on Friday morning by a member of the public who recognized him and alerted police. Officers responded swiftly and arrested him at 11:30 GMT near Capital City College on Blackstock Road. He was taken into custody for being unlawfully at large and on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in a prior incident.
Kaddour-Cherif had been released from the south London prison on 29 October due to a clerical error, despite facing unresolved charges. His release came just one day after being acquitted of breaching sex offender registry requirements, though he remained subject to other legal proceedings.
The incident is one of several mistaken releases from Wandsworth in recent weeks, including that of William Smith, who handed himself in on Thursday. At least four prisoners mistakenly released in the past year remain unaccounted for, according to BBC sources.
The case has ignited fierce criticism of the UK’s prison system. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick condemned the government’s handling, saying, “It shouldn’t be left to reporters to uncover the facts.” Justice Secretary David Lammy has pledged tougher release checks and launched an independent investigation into systemic failures.
Kaddour-Cherif, who entered the UK legally in 2019 but overstayed his visa, was reportedly in the early stages of deportation proceedings. Witnesses described his arrest as tense, with one bystander noting he “started kicking the van and stomping” after being handcuffed.
The Prison Officers’ Association cited outdated paper-based systems and staffing shortages as contributing factors. A senior staffer warned that new release protocols, while necessary, are placing a “significant burden” on already stretched personnel.
With prison overcrowding and emergency release schemes already straining the system, the government faces mounting pressure to restore public confidence and prevent further errors.
The London Christian Radio.
