A convicted sex offender, who became the focus of a nationwide manhunt after being accidentally released from prison, has received a 26-week jail sentence for assaulting two police officers by punching and biting them.

Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, a 24-year-old asylum seeker from Algeria, gained widespread attention in November when it was revealed that he had been inadvertently released from HMP Wandsworth. At the time of his release, he was dealing with three ongoing criminal cases and was under investigation for a fourth, despite a judge’s clear instruction for him to remain in custody.

The incident involving Kaddour-Cherif occurred at Blackhorse Road Tube station in east London on July 20, as discussed in Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court. Off-duty officer PC Bradley Glynn noticed Kaddour-Cherif attempting to take a mobile phone from a sleeping Tube passenger. Glynn intervened, retrieving the phone from Kaddour-Cherif’s pocket and returning it to its owner, subsequently directing Kaddour-Cherif to exit the train.

Prosecutor Kevin Kendridge highlighted that despite leaving the train, Kaddour-Cherif lingered near the doors on the platform, indicating an intention to reboard. Glynn yelled “thief” to attract attention, hoping to deter Kaddour-Cherif’s return. In response, Kaddour-Cherif struck him on the head with a closed fist, prompting Glynn to retaliate.

The court heard that PC Jason Norton, who was on duty at the station, intervened to aid Glynn as Kaddour-Cherif began to throw punches. “They worked together to subdue him, but he managed to hit PC Glynn again and bite him,” the prosecutor detailed. Kaddour-Cherif also slammed PC Norton against a wall, at which point Norton shouted, “don’t bite me.”

Images of bite marks were presented to the court, and Norton expressed concern about the potential for contracting an illness from the incident. Earlier in January, Kaddour-Cherif pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting emergency workers but claimed he was unaware that the individuals involved were police officers.

Magistrate Elizabeth Robb, who mandated Kaddour-Cherif to compensate the officers with £154, remarked: “This was a serious and prolonged assault in both instances, quite unpleasant in nature.”

Kaddour-Cherif is currently in the custody of the Home Office and is scheduled for further questioning regarding his asylum application. Previously, he had been taken into immigration custody in June due to his criminal activities but was released on bail from the detention facility shortly thereafter. Kaddour-Cherif, who was convicted in 2024 for indecent exposure in a London park, is also set to face trial next month at Croydon Magistrates’ Court for handling stolen goods.