Police Search for William Wenham After Mistaken Prison Release

Police are actively searching for William Wenham, a prisoner who was mistakenly released while awaiting trial. The 47-year-old was serving a two-year sentence and had been set to face trial for aggravated burglary. He was released in error from HMP Rochester on June 3, 2024. Wenham was convicted in absentia of burglary with intent to steal at Cambridge Crown Court on October 3.

Wenham’s case is part of a troubling trend of prison release errors. Sussex Police report that he has connections to several areas, including Havant, Worthing, Brighton, and Peterborough. This incident follows a similar mistake involving Hadush Kebatu, a convicted sex offender who was erroneously released from Chelmsford. Kebatu was apprehended after a manhunt in Finsbury Park just two days later.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns about the management of inmates. As of now, two prisoners released by mistake earlier this year remain at large, adding to the worry surrounding public safety. In total, four prisoners have been reported missing due to release errors, including Ola Abimbola, a Nigerian national who walked out of the open prison HMP Ford on October 10.

In a notable development, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, an Algerian sex offender, was re-arrested last Friday after being mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth nine days prior. Kaddour-Cherif had been serving a sentence for trespass with intent to steal and had previous convictions for indecent exposure. His capture was aided by a tip-off from a member of the public in Finsbury Park, the same area where Kebatu was apprehended.

This series of release blunders raises significant questions about the protocols in place for managing inmates and ensuring public safety. As police continue their search for Wenham, updates will be closely monitored as the situation develops.