Violent Criminal 'In Hiding' After Accidentally Being Released After Nine Months Instead Of Nine Years

A violent criminal is on the run after he was accidentally released from prison after nine months, instead of nine years, due to court staff writing the wrong word on his papers.

Ralston Dodd was jailed for nine years for GBH last November after he stabbed Jerrell Holland three times in the back, puncturing his lung and almost killing him.

The 25-year-old's attack was described in court as an 'appalling act of violence that nearly cost a man his life'.

Blackfriars Crown Court, where Dodd was found guilty. Credit: PA

However, he walked free weeks ago, because a member of court staff wrote nine months on his prison forms, the Sun reports.

He was recently spotted out and about in north London by his victim, having served no more than seven months of his sentence, although his actual release date has not been reported.

An arrest warrant has been issued after the court's mistake was realised, but Dodd is now reported to have gone into hiding.

It's believed staff at the crown court misheard the judge and filled out Dodd's forms for a nine-month sentence instead.

Credit: Metropolitan Police

A friend of Dodd told the paper: "He couldn't believe his luck. He feels like he's won the lottery and all of his Christmases have come at once. He's had to keep his head down in case anyone spots him."

Jerrell's dad, Alex, told the Sun: "This is an unacceptable blunder by them. He got nine years for stabbing my son three times.

"He could have died. I held my son and thought he was going to die. How can this happen?

"When my son saw him in a car he thought at first he was seeing a ghost because Ralston should be in jail."

Dodd was accidentally released from HMP Thameside earlier this year. Credit GoogleMaps

The Ministry of Justice told the newspaper: "Releases in error are extremely rare­ but we take any case very seriously.

"We are urgently investigating so we learn the ­lessons to prevent it ­happening again. Public protection is our priority.

"A warrant has been issued and police are pursuing the offender."

Anyone who may know Dodd's whereabouts is asked to call Islington police via 101.

Sources: Sun; Evening Standard

Featured Image Credit: Metropolitan Police

Topics: Police

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19