A man convicted of rape who escaped from custody has stated that he alerted prison officials about the mistake of his release. Bernadin Dedic, aged 48, had been held at HMP Wormwood Scrubs pending trial for multiple rape charges before being mistakenly set free earlier this year.
Following the release error, Dedic quickly left the UK via a Eurostar train, heading back to his home country, Bosnia. In an interview with the Press Association, Dedic recounted his attempts to convince prison staff to let him remain incarcerated after realizing he was not granted bail by a judge. Despite his pleas, he was escorted out of the prison.
Dedic, who had been arrested for rape in September and was due for trial in March, found himself mistakenly released due to a mix-up in digital case files at Isleworth Crown Court. Despite previous failed attempts to secure bail, including offering a substantial surety and agreeing to specific conditions, Dedic was unexpectedly set free.
After his release, Dedic contacted his legal team and friends, who advised him not to return for the trial, citing concerns about receiving a fair trial in the UK. Subsequently, travel difficulties and a knee injury prevented his return for the trial in March, with further complications leading to his absence during the rescheduled trial in June.
In Dedic’s absence, a jury found him guilty on multiple charges, including rape and sexual assault. Despite the verdict, Dedic expressed no intention of returning to London for sentencing, citing a fear of enclosed spaces as a reason for avoiding air travel.
During the trial, it was revealed that Dedic had consumed alcohol and drugs before committing the crimes. The presiding judge, Hannah Duncan, expressed skepticism about Dedic’s claims of health issues preventing his attendance at court, labeling his actions as attempts to evade justice.
The Ministry of Justice acknowledged the need for changes following an independent review into the mistaken release of prisoners, emphasizing efforts to prevent such errors and ensure public safety. A review hearing for Dedic’s case is scheduled for July 7, with no sentencing date confirmed yet.