A violent rapist who threatened his victim with a knife is on the run after being mistakenly released from a London prison. Bernadin Dedic, 48, was living in west London when he was remanded in custody last year on charges including four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and making a threat to kill. However, a court official incorrectly informed HMP Wormwood Scrubs that he had been granted bail, leading to his wrongful release.
Within hours of being freed, Dedic fled the United Kingdom via the Eurostar and returned to his native Bosnia. He had been drinking red wine and using cocaine when he attacked his victim at his west London home, pulling out a knife and threatening to kill her if she screamed. The ordeal lasted several hours, during which he cut off her clothes and subjected her to a series of rapes and sexual assaults.
Excuses to avoid justice
Dedic put forward a litany of excuses for not returning to face justice, including claims of a heart attack and a skiing accident. He remained in Bosnia as his trial proceeded at Isleworth Crown Court. On Tuesday, a jury convicted him on all nine counts in his absence. If he fails to return for sentencing, UK authorities are expected to commence extradition proceedings.
Prosecutor Simon Sanford told the court that Dedic carried out the attacks shortly after separating from his partner. He consumed up to four bottles of red wine and snorted cocaine before luring the woman to his basement after she declined his offer of "no strings attached" sex. When she turned to leave, he brandished a red-handled oriental kitchen knife, took hold of her, and said he would kill her and then himself. He slapped her, told her to shut up, and used the knife to cut off her clothing.
Court error leads to release
The Press Association revealed in February how a suspected rapist had been wrongly set free from jail and managed to flee the UK. Dedic, represented by a leading barrister, sent messages expressing a desire to return for trial but claimed difficulties obtaining a visa. His UK passport had been seized by the Metropolitan Police, but he used his Bosnian passport to board the Eurostar after his release.
Efforts by a senior judge, police officers, and Border Force agents to facilitate Dedic's return for a March trial failed when he claimed a knee injury from a skiing accident. Judge Martin Edmunds KC delayed the trial to June, but Dedic again failed to appear, citing a heart attack in Sarajevo. Judge Hannah Duncan, expressing skepticism, proceeded with the trial in his absence after medical reports showed normal heart rate and hospital discharge.
Judge Edmunds noted the error was extremely rare and promised a full investigation. HM Courts and Tribunals Service launched an inquiry, acknowledging the distress caused by such mistakes and the deep-rooted issues in the justice system.
