A rapist who fled the UK after being mistakenly released from prison has claimed he warned prison staff that he was not supposed to be freed before leaving the country.
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Bernadin Dedic, 48, was being held on remand while awaiting trial on allegations that he repeatedly raped a woman at knifepoint when an administrative error led to his release from HMP Wormwood Scrubs in February, as cited by The Independent.
According to Dedic, prison staff informed him that he was being released after receiving incorrect information that he had been granted bail. Speaking to the Press Association, he said he immediately told officers that a mistake had been made.
"They told me I was released," Dedic said. "I said: 'Let me stay the weekend, this is a mistake.' But they pushed me out."
The error occurred after an official at Isleworth Crown Court reportedly mixed up digital case records following a hearing on February 6 and incorrectly recorded that Dedic had been granted bail. The information was then passed to the prison, resulting in his release.
Within hours of leaving prison, Dedic boarded a Eurostar train and left the UK for Bosnia, his country of origin.
Dedic said previous attempts to secure bail had failed despite proposed conditions that included an £80,000 surety, residence at a friend's property in Milton Keynes, restrictions on entering London and regular reporting requirements.
After leaving prison, he contacted lawyers and friends. He said some advised him to leave the country because they believed he would not receive a fair trial.
Dedic failed to return for his trial in March, initially citing visa difficulties. Later explanations included a skiing injury and chest pains while travelling to the airport. The trial eventually proceeded in his absence.
Jurors found him guilty of four counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, threatening a person with a knife in a private place and making threats to kill.
Prosecutors said Dedic had consumed red wine and cocaine before attacking the victim, holding her at knifepoint, cutting off her clothes and threatening to kill both her and himself.
Judge Hannah Duncan rejected explanations for his absence and said she was unconvinced by claims that he had suffered a heart attack. She described his actions as another attempt to "obstruct, manipulate and avoid justice".
Asked whether he intended to return to Britain for sentencing, Dedic replied: "No."
