Prisoner who was released by mistake found after weeks on the run
Written by News on 12/07/2017
A prisoner who was released from prison just months into a nine-year sentence due to a "clerical error" has been arrested after weeks on the run.
Ralston Dodd, who was jailed after almost stabbing a man to death, was reportedly released from HMP Thameside in southeast London by mistake.
The 25-year-old from north London was recaptured in Birmingham on Tuesday night and taken to a local police station.
An incorrectly recorded term had seen Dodd sent home early in what the Ministry of Justice described as an "extremely rare" error.
Dodd pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent after knifing a 21-year-old in the back three times outside Islington Council offices last September.
He was arrested three weeks after the attack following an extensive manhunt.
At the time of his sentencing, police described the crime as: "An appalling act of violence that almost cost a man his life. The seriousness of this offence is reflected in the extensive prison sentence."
Following the sentencing blunder, the father of Dodd’s 21-year-old victim had expressed his shock, asking: "How can this happen without anyone noticing?"
The victim has now made a full recovery after sustaining serious injuries in the attack.
(c) Sky News 2017: Prisoner who was released by mistake found after weeks on the run
