Court blunder lets rape suspect leave country before trial
Prison Error, Suspect Escapes UK
A man charged with multiple counts of rape was mistakenly released from a UK prison after a HM Courts and Tribunals Service official issued the wrong paperwork. After being freed weeks before his scheduled trial, he was able to leave the country. The case has exposed serious flaws in coordination between courts, prisons, and border controls, and raised concerns about justice and safety for alleged victims.
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Updated Feb 28, 2026