Released Prisoner and Sex Offender Tracked Down and Arrested
Brahim Kaddour Cherif, a registered sex offender, was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, which triggered a large-scale manhunt. The Metropolitan Police were notified of the error on Tuesday and launched efforts to find him.
Cherif, 24, was convicted in November 2024 for indecent exposure linked to an incident earlier that year. He received an 18-month community order and was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years.
Background and Location
Cherif is an Algerian national with known connections to Tower Hamlets and frequent visits to the Westminster area.
Arrest Details
"At 11.23am on Friday, 7 November, a call was received from a member of the public reporting a sighting of a man they believed to be Brahim Kaddour-Cherif in the vicinity of Capital City College on Blackstock Road in Islington. Officers responded immediately and at 11.30am detained a man matching Cherif's description. His identity was confirmed and he was arrested for being unlawfully at large. He was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker in relation to a previous unrelated incident. He has been taken into police custody. The Prison Service has been informed."
The police acted swiftly on the public tip-off, leading to Cherif's arrest within minutes near Capital City College.
Summary
The mistaken release of a convicted sex offender prompted rapid police action and community involvement, resulting in his quick capture and re-arrest.
Author's summary: A registered sex offender mistakenly freed from prison was swiftly caught after a public sighting, reflecting effective police response and community vigilance.