Convicted rapist flees UK after prison release error

A 48-year-old man convicted of a series of violent sexual offenses is a fugitive in Bosnia after being mistakenly released from a London prison earlier this year. Bernadin Dedic was found guilty in absentia on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Isleworth Crown Court on nine charges, including multiple counts of assault, sexual assault by penetration, and making death threats.

The conviction stems from an attack that occurred at Dedic's west London residence shortly after a relationship ended. According to prosecutor Simon Sanford, Dedic consumed a significant amount of red wine and cocaine before luring the woman to his basement. The court heard that Dedic brandished a red-handled kitchen knife, threatened to kill her and then himself, and used the blade to cut off her clothing. He then subjected her to a sexual assault lasting several hours.

Dedic was initially remanded in custody after being charged last year. However, a catastrophic administrative error led to his release from HMP Wormwood Scrubs on February 6. A court official had confused digital case files and incorrectly entered into the system that Dedic had been granted bail. The erroneous notification was sent to the prison,...