Police have launched two major manhunts after an Algerian sex offender and convicted fraudster were accidentally released from HMP Wandsworth.
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, 24, made headlines earlier today when he was mistakenly freed from Britain’s fifth-largest prison on October 29.
Kaddour-Cherif, who is now an illegal migrant after overstaying his visa, was serving time for trespass with an intent to steal and was previously convicted of indecent exposure.
Surrey Police released a second damning statement about the scandal-stricken prison earlier today, confirming a convicted fraudster had also been mistakenly released.
The convicted fraudster, identified by Surrey Police as 35-year-old William Smith, was mistakenly released on November 3, just five days after Kaddour-Cherif.
Smith, who also goes by the nickname Billy, was mistakenly released shortly after he was handed a 45-month prison sentence.
The 35-year-old was sentenced for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court on Monday, appearing from HMP Wandsworth by video link.
Surrey Police described Smith as white, bald and clean-shaven.
Hadush Kebatu, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif and William Smith have all been released by mistake
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ESSEX POLICE/METROPOLITAN POLICE/SURREY POLICE
Smith was last seen wearing a navy long-sleeve jumper with the Nike brand ‘tick’ across the front in white, navy blue tracksuit bottoms with a Nike ‘tick’ in white on the left pocket, and black trainers.
The force also revealed Smith has links with Woking but stressed he could be anywhere in the wider Surrey area.
Meanwhile, Kaddour-Cherif’s mistaken release was raised with Scotland Yard on November 4, five days after he was freed from HMP Wandsworth.
The Metropolitan Police launched its “immediate manhunt” yesterday.
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GB NEWS
Scotland Yard said: “Cherif has had a six-day head start, but we are working urgently to close the gap and establish his whereabouts.”
The Algerian national, who was previously linked to an address in East London, most recently appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in September on a charge of failing to comply with sex offender requirements.
Recently released Ministry of Justice data confirmed more than 260 inmates had been released in error in the 12 months to March 2025.
A dozen inmates also escaped from prison over the same period, with two convicts remaining at large 30 days after their respective escapes.
The early release of Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford on October 24 fuelled fears about the Prison Service.
Kebatu, who had been jailed following a sex attack in Epping, was found almost 50 miles away in Finsbury Park two days later.
Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police were all involved in the search for Kebatu.
The 41-year-old was eventually deported back to Ethiopia with the additional cost of £500 at the taxpayers’ expense.
David Lammy has been criticised over the debacle
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GETTYPressure is mounting on Justice Secretary David Lammy after his grilling at Prime Minister’s Questions.
During a grilling from Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, Mr Lammy refused to answer if another migrant sex offender had been mistakenly released from prison.
The Ministry of Justice told GB News that Mr Lammy found out about the error at HMP Wandsworth overnight.
Following Mr Lammy’s debut appearance at Prime Minister’s Questions, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick accused his counterpart of “covering up” the mistaken release of the foreign inmate.