US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
Prisoner hands himself back in after mistaken release from prison
- On Thursday, William 'Billy' Smith, 35, handed himself in after being wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth on Monday following a three-day manhunt by Surrey Police.
- Officials say a surname mix-up and misdirected correction produced the error, as a court error told the prison Smith's custodial sentence was suspended and the correction sent to the wrong person.
- Court records show Smith was sentenced to 45 months for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court and appeared via live video link from HMP Wandsworth before release.
- After the hand-in, forces noted the case sits alongside ongoing manhunts as Surrey Police cancelled their appeal following Smith's return, while searches continue for Brahim Kaddour-Cherif and Hadush Kebatu.
- The Government has pledged `the strongest checks ever` and launched an independent probe led by Dame Lynne Owens, while Justice Secretary David Lammy convenes governors and deploys digital experts.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions
40 Articles
40 Articles
Once again, a man was falsely released from a prison, for a long time being punished, and the new breakdown illustrates the marauding conditions in British prisons.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources40
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Center
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources are Center
63% Center
L 19%
C 63%
R 18%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
