ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Prisoner Freed Just 48 Hours Into Four-Year Jail Sentence

Prisoner Freed Just 48 Hours Into Four-Year Jail Sentence

The UK prisoner was freed just two days into a four year sentence.

A prisoner was accidentally released just two days into a four year jail sentence for blackmail. You can see a clip of him celebrating his early freedom below:

Lauras Matiusovas, 30, was released 48 hours after being convicted of blackmail at Wood Green crown court, North London in November.

He was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, but ended up being let out after just two days on 26 November.

Sources told The Sun the early release was a result of errors in court paperwork.

After his shock release, the 30-year-old called a friend who came to collect him from jail.

In a clip taken on their way home, Matiusovas' friends are heard yelling, “Fresh home!" as he laughs along.

One of Matiusovas' friends told The Sun: “He even contacted probation, who told him everything seemed to be in order and to make sure he went to the next appointment.

"It’s mad - he could have jumped on a flight and left the UK.

“Instead he chilled with us and had a great time.”

He added: "Imagine if it was someone in for violence or a sex offender - it’s a real scandal.”

Uncredited
Uncredited

After realising the mistake, the police were notified and Matiusovas was sent back to prison ten days later on 6 December.

A Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spokesperson told LADbible: “Releases in error are incredibly rare but we take them extremely seriously.

"This prisoner is already back behind bars.” 

The MoJ said it is investigating the circumstances of his release.

The Sun reports that six convicts had been freed by the courts by mistake between January and May.

One was even convicted of assault and threatening behaviour.

Earlier this year, an inmate in Canada was mistakenly released early due to an administrative error, but thankfully opted to turn himself in.

Codie Tobie Cardinal.
Government of Saskatchewan

Codie Tobie Cardinal, an inmate at the Regina Correctional Centre in Saskatchewan, Canada, was released from custody on 9 March after appearing in Estevan Court of Queen's Bench via video conference.

According to a government news release, 49-year-old Cardinal was freed because of an administrative error in communication information from the court office in Estevan to the Regina jail.

In actual fact, he was supposed to remain in Regina Court of Queen's Bench on additional charges. 

According to the Regina Leader-Post, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said staff didn't become aware of the accidental release until earlier that week - at which point police were notified and the public notification process was initiated, before Cardinal handed himself in.

Featured Image Credit: Uncredited

Topics: UK News