A convicted sex offender who was mistakenly released from Wandsworth prison has been recaptured. Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, from Algeria, was arrested in Finsbury Park, north London, on Friday after a member of the public recognised him.
Kaddour-Cherif was accidentally freed on 29 October. The Metropolitan Police launched a manhunt after the error was reported a week later. During his arrest, he initially denied his identity but was detained after officers noted his distinctive nose.
The mistaken release has added to political pressure on Justice Secretary David Lammy. He confirmed the recapture, saying: 'We inherited a prison system in crisis and I'm appalled at the rate of releases in error.'
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticised the government, calling for deportation. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the majority of mistakenly released offenders are quickly brought back, adding that the cases expose the prison crisis inherited from the previous government.
