Burglar on the run for 5 MONTHS after being let out of prison by mistake | UK | News

The police started an investigation to find the thief who escaped and was accidentally released from prison five months ago. William Wenham, 47, was serving a two-year prison sentence and awaiting trial for aggravated burglary when he was “mistakenly released” from HMP Rochester on June 3, Sussex Police said.

It comes as Labor and Justice Minister David Lammy comes under increasing pressure over inaccurate publications. Figures released by the Ministry of Justice earlier this week showed that a total of 91 prisoners were mistakenly released between April 1 and October 31 this year. On Friday police issued an appeal to find Wenham, who is said to have links to Havant, Worthing, Brighton, Peterborough and the surrounding area.

Police added that the man was convicted of burglary with intent to steal in his absence at Cambridge Crown Court on October 3.

The issue of wrongful release from prison came to the fore following the fiasco that led to the release of immigrant sex offender Habush Kebatu. Kebatu’s initial arrest sparked huge protests outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where he was staying.

The Ethiopian national was rearrested after a three-day manhunt and later deported.

Stronger security checks for prisons were announced and an independent investigation into mistaken releases was launched following the mistake.

In its appeal to find Wenham, Sussex Police said: “We are looking for William Wenham, who is wanted for being illegally at large.

“The 47-year-old man was serving a two-year prison sentence and awaiting trial for aggravated burglary when he was mistakenly released from HMP Rochester on Tuesday, June 3.

“Wenham was convicted in his absence at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday 3 October 2025 of burglary with intent to commit burglary.

“William has links to Havant, Worthing, Brighton, Peterborough and the surrounding area.

“Anyone who sees him is asked to call 999, quoting Op Equal.”

Mr Lammy admitted there was a “mountain to climb” to solve the problem of wrongful release of prisoners.

Prisons Minister Lord James Timpson also said it was not possible to “fix quickly” wrongful releases, adding that “it will take time to fix this”.

The total number of prisoners mistakenly released was two, he told Parliament on Thursday.