Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian convicted sex offender, has been recaptured and returned to HMP Wandsworth following almost a week on the run. Authorities conducted a two-day manhunt after he was mistakenly released.
Kaddour-Cherif was accidentally freed on October 29 due to a prison computer error, which confused his custodial sentence for possessing a knife with a suspended sentence. He is a registered sex offender who was previously convicted of indecent exposure on November 24 and received a community order, alongside a five-year placement on the sex offenders’ registry.
The Metropolitan Police arrested him at 11:30 a.m. in Finsbury Park, north London, after a member of the public identified him in Blackhorse Lane, Islington. Officers quickly responded and detained him despite his denial.
"Officers have arrested Brahim Kaddour Cherif who was released in error from HMP Wandsworth on 29 October. Cherif was spotted by a member of the public in Blackhorse Lane, Islington just before 11.30am. Officers responded immediately and he was arrested."
A police officer remarked during the arrest, "He looked exactly like the person" and identified him by his "distinctive wonky nose," despite Kaddour-Cherif's claim, "I am not Brahim."
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif's mistaken release due to administrative error led to a swift public tip-off and police action, resulting in his prompt recapture and return to custody.