Inmate freed in error ‘groped prison officer’s thigh’ within hours of release

A man who “groped a prison worker’s thigh” just hours after being released was freed in error.

Amari Ward was given a lift from HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, to Sittingbourne station 11 miles away as a “gesture of goodwill” when the incident occurred.

The 31-year-old had been convicted under an outdated law, which was not recognised during checks.

According to a log of the incident: “During the journey, it was alleged that [he] sexually assaulted the prison worker.”

After the vehicle stopped in the car park at the station he quickly left and caught a train to London. He was arrested the next day in Croydon. His release came after serving 40 per cent of a jail term for breaching a restraining order.

The Government had said those convicted of offences linked to domestic abuse, including breaching a restraining order, would not be eligible for early release.

However, 37 men’s crimes had incorrectly been prosecuted under outdated legislation from 1997.

Because of this, the system did not recognise they were ineligible for release. It only looked at offences under the Sentencing Act 2020.

More to come…