At a glance
Fraudster William “Billy” Smith was wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth following an admin error made in court, it has been reported.
The 35-year-old was set free after Croydon Crown Court mistakenly told the prison his custodial sentence was a suspended sentence.
He was released from the prison five days after registered sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was also mistakenly let out, sparking serious concerns about the state of HMP Wandsworth.
A fraudster was wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth following an admin error made in court, according to reports.
William ‘Billy’ Smith was sentenced to 45 months behind bars for multiple fraud offences at Croydon Crown Court on Monday and is understood to have appeared via a video link from the prison.
But he was set free after the court mistakenly told the prison that his custodial sentence was a suspended sentence, Sky News reported.
If Smith had been handed a suspended sentence, his prison sentence would have been delayed as long as he did not commit any new crimes or breach any orders.
A correction was reportedly sent from the court to HMP Wandsworth but it went to the wrong person and was not received in time to stop Smith from leaving.
Smith was mistakenly released from the prison five days after registered sex offender Brahim Kaddour-Cherif was also mistakenly let out, sparking serious concerns about the state of HMP Wandsworth.
Surrey Police appealed to the public for help finding Smith, 35, on Wednesday and said it was carrying out a number of enquiries to try and find the missing prisoner.
He is described as White, bald, and clean-shaven.
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.
Woking MP Will Forster said that it was “utterly unacceptable” that Smith was wrongly released from prison, especially after Cherif was mistakenly let go days earlier.
The Liberal Democrat confirmed that Mr Smith was from Woking and most of his offences took place there.
Mr Forster said: “I have been informed that the police are actively working to apprehend this person as soon as possible, and they have reassured me that there is no indication of risk to the wider public.
“I understand that this is distressing for Woking residents that a prisoner wrongfully released might have returned to our town.
“This is yet another grave mistake from the Government. The public deserves a full explanation about how this has happened again.
“Both the Government and the Prison Service must own up to their failures and guarantee that these mistakes will stop happening once and for all.”
The Ministry of Justice is yet to comment on the release of the two prisoners.
