Police are appealing for assistance in finding a guy who was unintentionally freed from custody.
The Metropolitan Police has issued a search warrant for Rayon Newby, 20, whose whereabouts are unknown after he was given permission to leave HMP Thameside on March 17.
The police have additionally asked the general population to avoid approaching Newby.
Serco, the private company that manages the jail, has been approached by Metro for comment on the specifics of the blunder that resulted in the inmate’s freedom.
Newby was serving time for assault, harassment, and burglary. He has ties to the Tower Hamlets and Ilford neighborhoods.
Police describe him as a black man of heavy build, approximately 5ft 10ins, with a piercing in his left ear. He speaks with a London accent.
It’s not the only time in recent weeks police have appealed to the public for help tracking down former inmates.
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Sussex Police posted a wanted poster on Facebook last week for Curtis Harrison, 32, after he violated the terms of his release, only for him to then taunt authorities via social media.
Harrison, who had served time for breaching a restraining order, joked in posts about collecting the £500 reward for information leading to his arrest.
The hunt for Harrison came less than a month after Norfolk Police apprehended Dean Manning, 34, who also mocked efforts to track him down in videos posted to Facebook and TikTok.
A court jailed Manning for 18 months last year for attacking his partner while under the influence. He was wanted for breaching the terms of his licence.
In one clip, Manning walked past a police station, saying: ‘I shouldn’t really be here, should I?’