Released Prisoner and Sex Offender Tracked Down and Arrested
Brahim Kaddour Cherif, a 24-year-old registered sex offender, was mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, triggering an extensive police search. He was later located and arrested after being spotted by a member of the public.
Accidental Release
Cherif’s release from the South London prison occurred due to an administrative error. The Metropolitan Police were notified on Tuesday and immediately began efforts to find him.
Background of the Offender
Originally convicted in November 2024 for indecent exposure linked to a March 2024 incident, Cherif was sentenced to an 18-month community order and required to register as a sex offender for five years. He is an Algerian national with known connections to Tower Hamlets and frequent visits to Westminster.
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,” said a Metropolitan Police spokesperson.
Officers arrived swiftly and detained the suspect at 11.30am. After verifying his identity, Cherif was taken into custody for being unlawfully at large and also arrested in connection with a separate assault on an emergency worker. Authorities have since notified the Prison Service.
Author’s Summary
The mistakenly freed sex offender Brahim Kaddour Cherif was quickly re-arrested in Islington after a vigilant citizen alerted police to his location.