A dangerous sex offender from Epping is back behind bars tonight after a major administrative blunder saw him released from prison by mistake.
The convicted criminal, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was supposed to remain in custody but walked free due to what the Ministry of Justice has called a "serious error" in the prison system.
Urgent Manhunt Launched
Essex Police launched an immediate investigation and public warning after discovering the offender's unlawful release. Authorities moved quickly to locate and apprehend the individual, who has now been returned to secure custody.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson confirmed: "This individual has been returned to custody. We are treating this with the utmost seriousness and have launched an urgent investigation into how this failure occurred."
System Failure Puts Public at Risk
The incident has raised serious questions about the safeguards within the prison release process. While specific details of the administrative error remain under investigation, sources indicate it involved a breakdown in communication between different parts of the justice system.
Local residents in the Epping area expressed alarm upon learning that a registered sex offender had been accidentally released into their community.
Review Ordered into Release Procedures
In response to the incident, the Prison Service has initiated an immediate review of its release protocols to prevent similar errors occurring in future.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about administrative failures within the criminal justice system that could potentially compromise public safety.
Essex Police have reassured the public that the situation has been resolved and there is no ongoing risk to the community from this individual.
