A convicted rapist, Bernadin Dedic, expressed his disbelief at being mistakenly released from prison, claiming he informed guards that it was a mistake when he was freed. Dedic, 48, was awaiting trial at HMP Wormwood Scrubs on charges of repeated rape at knifepoint when he was released in February this year.
Following the error, Dedic swiftly left the UK on a Eurostar train and returned to Bosnia. Despite his attempts to persuade prison staff to keep him detained, he was told that he was released, leading to his departure.
The mix-up occurred when digital case files were mistakenly interchanged at Isleworth Crown Court after a hearing on February 6, leading to the erroneous belief that Dedic had been granted bail. This misinformation was then relayed to the prison authorities.
Dedic’s legal team had made unsuccessful attempts to secure bail, offering an £80,000 surety and proposing conditions for his release, including residing at a friend’s house in Milton Keynes, staying away from London, and regular reporting to the police.
After his release, Dedic communicated with his lawyers and friends, who advised him not to return for the trial due to concerns about a fair trial. Despite efforts to resolve travel issues, including obtaining a visa and resolving a knee injury from a skiing accident, Dedic did not make it back for the trial in June.
In his absence, Dedic was found guilty on multiple charges, including rape, sexual assault, and making threats. When asked about returning for sentencing, Dedic stated he has no intention of doing so, citing fear of enclosed spaces as a reason for avoiding air travel.
The trial revealed that Dedic had consumed alcohol and drugs before committing the violent acts against the victim. The judge expressed skepticism about Dedic’s claimed health issues and viewed his actions as an attempt to evade justice.
The Ministry of Justice acknowledged the errors in Dedic’s case and mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance release systems to prevent such mistakes. A review hearing is scheduled for July 7, with sentencing dates pending.
