Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian national and registered sex offender, has been recaptured by police and brought back to HMP Wandsworth nearly a week after his mistaken release.
Kaddour-Cherif was accidentally freed from HMP Wandsworth on October 29 after a mix-up on the prison’s computer system, which reportedly misidentified his custodial sentence for knife possession as a suspended one. The inmate had previously been convicted of indecent exposure in November and placed on the sex offenders’ registry for five years.
The Metropolitan Police launched a two-day manhunt for Kaddour-Cherif. He was located and detained at around 11:30 a.m. in Finsbury Park, north London, after being recognized by a member of the public.
“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 11:30 a.m. Officers responded immediately and he was arrested.” — The Metropolitan Police on X
Video footage showed the moment of his arrest, where one officer identified him by his “distinctive wonky nose” after Kaddour-Cherif initially denied his identity, claiming, “I am not Brahim.”
The Metropolitan Police successfully recaptured Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, who had been mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, following a swift manhunt and public assistance.