Released Prisoner and Registered Sex Offender Arrested After Public Tip-Off
Brahim Kaddour Cherif, a registered sex offender, was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, triggering a large-scale search operation. The 24-year-old was recently convicted and placed under community supervision.
Background and Conviction
Cherif was found guilty in November 2024 for indecent exposure linked to an incident in March 2024. He received an 18-month community order and was registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years. Authorities note he is an Algerian national with connections to Tower Hamlets and frequently visits Westminster.
Police Response and Arrest
The Metropolitan Police were alerted about Cherif's accidental release on Tuesday and launched efforts to locate him. On the morning of Friday, 7 November, a member of the public reported seeing a man believed to be Cherif near Capital City College on Blackstock Road in Islington.
“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.”
Current Status
- Cherif was promptly detained by police after the public sighting.
- He faces charges for being unlawfully at large and suspected assault of an emergency worker.
- The Prison Service is aware of the situation.
Summary: A mistakenly released registered sex offender was quickly identified and apprehended thanks to a public tip, demonstrating effective cooperation between the community and law enforcement.
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