A rapist who cut off his victim's underwear with a knife and threatened to kill her has gone on the run after being accidentally freed from prison. Bernadin Dedic, 48, used his Bosnian passport to flee the UK on the Eurostar after police had seized his British one.
Brutal Attack in West London
Dedic, a businessman living in Ealing, west London, had been drinking red wine and taking cocaine when he attacked a woman who rejected his offer of "no strings attached sex." He pulled out a knife and told her she "wouldn't be heard" if she screamed. He cut off her clothing and subjected her to multiple rapes and sexual assaults over several hours.
Charges and Conviction
Dedic was charged with four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, threatening with a knife, and making a threat to kill. He was remanded in custody last year but was mistakenly released from HMP Wormwood Scrubs in February after a court official wrongly recorded that he had been granted bail.
Flight and Excuses
Within hours of his release, Dedic fled the UK on the Eurostar to Bosnia. He offered excuses for not returning, including claims of a heart attack and a skiing accident. The trial proceeded in his absence at Isleworth Crown Court, and on Tuesday a jury convicted him on all nine counts.
Extradition Likely
If Dedic fails to return for sentencing, UK authorities are expected to start extradition proceedings. Prosecutor Simon Sandford detailed how Dedic downed up to four bottles of red wine and snorted cocaine before luring the victim to his basement. Dedic slapped her, cut off her bra and top, and ordered her to strip. The victim was terrified and complied.
Prison Error Investigated
Judge Martin Edmunds KC called the erroneous release "extremely rare" and said the court would investigate. HM Courts and Tribunals Service launched an inquiry, with a spokesperson acknowledging the distress caused and citing "deep-rooted issues across the broken justice system."
