A suspected rapist was accidentally set free from prison and managed to leave the country before he is due to stand trial, it has been revealed.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was being held in custody in a British prison.
He was charged with multiple allegations of rape, sexual assault and violence against a woman.
After a pre-trial hearing in early February, a court official accidentally told the prison the defendant could be set free on bail, triggering his release from jail.
He then left the country shortly after regaining his freedom.
Details of the case emerged as a top London judge called on the government to intervene to try to ensure the man returns to stand trial.
In a ruling, Judge Martin Edmunds KC, the Recorder of Kensington and Chelsea, said: “Although such errors are extremely rare, and indeed this is the only instance I am aware of when there has been an erroneous release of a prisoner held in custody to this court, we take this error extremely seriously.
“We will fully investigate how it occurred and what steps can be put in place to prevent it occurring again.”
Isleworth Crown Court heard the defendant, who denies all the charges against him, was remanded in custody after being charged and was originally due to stand trial in June this year.
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He appeared in court on 26 January for a hearing to consider whether his trial date should be brought forward to March.
At a further hearing on 6 February, when the defendant was not brought to court from prison, a blunder was made that led to his accidental release.
“By error on the part of HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service) at the court, the court issued a notice of grant of bail,” outlined the judge, adding that it appears there was confusion because the defendant faces a second criminal case in which he has been granted bail.
The judge added: “A mistake was made assuming he was on bail on both matters.”
