AN offender who was freed from prison under the Government’s early release scheme allegedly sexually assaulted a woman inside an hour.
Amari Ward, 31, got out on Tuesday as part of the plan to ease overcrowding.
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He was understood to have been out for 30 to 40 minutes when he allegedly reoffended at Sittingbourne Station in Kent.
After his arrest in Croydon, South London, Ward appeared at the town’s magistrates on Thursday charged with sexual assault.
Court documents show he is said to have offended on the “same day released” and has now been recalled to prison until 2026.
Ward is due to appear at Maidstone crown court on October 10.
READ MORE ON EARLY RELEASE
He is among a number of lags already recalled — most for breaking their licence conditions.
The Government plan to let out offenders at the 40 per cent mark of their sentences saw them partying in the streets.
The Sun told how around 1,750 walked free after the mass sentencing of riot criminals.
It helped the prison population drop by more than 2,000 this week.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the policy in July as prisons were at capacity.
Watchdog Charlie Taylor warned earlier this week: “I think it’s inevitable when you let out so many prisoners on the same day, it inevitably increases the risk of further offences in the future.”
The Ministry of Justice said: “Those released under this scheme will be subject to probation supervision and we will not hesitate to recall those who break the rules.”
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