A prisoner was arrested on suspicion of rape moments after being set free under Sir Keir Starmer‘s early release scheme.
The extraordinary scene played out Tuesday morning during a mass freeing of inmates at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The man was seen walking out of the gates of the jail before turning his head from side to side in astonishment as he realised police were waiting for him.
He allowed himself to be cuffed and led away into a waiting van that took him to a nearby police station.
Following an enquiry to the Met, it has emerged the man, 28, was arrested on suspicion of rape, sex assault and a racially aggravated public order offence – raising the question of why he was ever lined up for early release in the first place.
It is unclear when the alleged rape took place.
The incident came amid joyous scenes outside Britain’s prisons, as 1,700 criminals were set free after serving a fraction if their sentences.
