Peston: Why wasn’t Kaddour-Cherif deported?
Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, the Algerian sex offender mistakenly released from HMP Wandsworth, had overstayed his visa. Despite this, he had not been deported due to ongoing criminal proceedings.
Explanation Behind Non-Deportation
According to official sources, Kaddour-Cherif was protected from deportation because criminal cases against him were still active. The government generally avoids deporting individuals while they face criminal charges unless the police and Crown Prosecution Service agree otherwise.
"The government does not remove or deport people while criminal proceedings are ongoing, unless there is agreement with the police and Crown Prosecution Service."
Deportation Threshold and Proceedings
None of Kaddour-Cherif’s sentences reached the threshold required for automatic deportation, which is a custodial sentence of 12 months or more. Despite this, stage one deportation proceedings were initiated earlier in the year due to his repeated offences, considered harmful to public safety.
- In November 2024, he was convicted of indecent exposure.
- He received an 18-month community order.
- He was also placed on the sex offenders register.
Concerns Raised
This case highlights the complex and sometimes ineffective interaction between visa regulations and the criminal justice system, raising significant concerns for policymakers.
"Why are foreign criminals being paid to leave the UK?"