A registered sex offender who was mistakenly released from a south London prison has been dramatically recaptured in north London after a week on the run.
Dramatic Arrest Caught on Camera
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old Algerian national, was arrested in Finsbury Park at approximately 11.30am on Friday, 7th November 2025, moments after Sky News journalists had approached him. The arrest was captured on exclusive footage that shows the offender reacting angrily as police officers detained him.
When initially approached by journalists, Kaddour-Cherif falsely claimed to be someone else before police moved in. Officers confirmed his identity by comparing his distinctive facial features to a photograph on a mobile device, with one officer noting his "distinctive wonky nose" matched the missing prisoner's description.
Prison Service Error Sparks Manhunt
The Algerian national had been wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth on 29th October, but astonishingly, the Prison Service only informed the Metropolitan Police about the error six days later. This delay triggered an intensive manhunt for the convicted sex offender.
During his arrest, Kaddour-Cherif became confrontational, shouting to bystanders in the street and vehemently denying responsibility for his freedom. "It's not my f***ing fault," he repeatedly shouted, dressed in a grey hoodie, black beanie hat and carrying a black backpack.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed: "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."
Pattern of Prison Errors Emerges
This incident marks the third mistaken release from HMP Wandsworth within a short period. Kaddour-Cherif was freed just five days after the wrongful release of convicted sex offender Hadush Kebatu, who was also subsequently arrested in Finsbury Park.
Additionally, fraudster William Smith, 35, was mistakenly released from the same prison on 3rd November but voluntarily turned himself in the following Thursday.
Kaddour-Cherif's criminal history includes being placed on the sex offenders register for five years following a conviction for indecent exposure in November last year. He was subsequently jailed in June for possessing a knife.
Justice Secretary Admits Systemic Failures
Following the arrest, Justice Secretary David Lammy acknowledged the severe problems within the prison system, stating: "We inherited a prison system in crisis and I'm appalled at the rate of releases in error this is causing."
Lammy admitted there was "a mountain to climb" to resolve the systemic issues but outlined measures including new release checks, an independent investigation into failures, and modernising outdated paper-based systems still used in some prisons.
The Algerian national had entered the UK legally but overstayed his visit visa, with deportation proceedings already initiated before his mistaken release added further complications to his case.
