Police are searching for a man who has been released from prison by mistake – and are urging anyone with information concerning his whereabouts to call 999 immediately.

William Fernandez was being held on remand at HMP Wormwood Scrubs in west London while awaiting trial.

The 24-year-old had been arrested and charged with sexual assault, indecent exposure and possession of a Class B drug last April.

On Wednesday, police were informed by prison staff that he had been freed from custody in error.

Searches in the local area were unsuccessful – and later that night, he was spotted on CCTV walking along a high street in Harrow.

There have been no confirmed sights of him since.

Fernandez did not have a fixed address prior to his arrest in 2020, but the Metropolitan Police believes he is most likely to be in the west London area.

He has been known to travel on public transport, and spend time at transport hubs.

Detective Inspector Rory Wilkinson said: “Officers are exploring every possible line of enquiry to track Fernandez down and return him to prison.

“We would ask the public to assist us by being our eyes and ears and calling us if they see him or have any information about his whereabouts.”

Fernandez is white and of medium build, with thinning hair and a dark beard. He has a distinctive cross tattoo on the left side of his neck – and was wearing a black tracksuit and a black hat when he was last seen.

He is also known to use the name Agustin Fernando Jimenez Eiberte.

Related posts:

Police plan crackdown on illegal raves after man stabbed to death during weekend of disorder Millions set to get COVID booster jab from September to ‘keep virus at bay’ England fans travelling to Rome for Euro 2020 quarter-final warned they ‘will not be admitted to stadium’ Dina Asher-Smith fails to make Olympic 100m final but teammate Daryll Neita through Storm Arwen: Thousands left ‘exhausted’ as they endure fifth day without power England Women humiliate Latvia 20-0 on record-breaking night for Lionesses and Ellen White ‘Very rare’ sea turtle washes up on Welsh beach after Storm Arwen – 5,000 miles away from home Gay rights activist’s appeal in long-running cake dispute ruled ‘inadmissible’ MP Margaret Ferrier to stand trial accused of visiting salon, leisure centre and church while having COVID symptoms COVID epicentre moves from London to North West and more older people being hospitalised MP calls for the return of a ‘hybrid parliament’ and claims 50 members could be at home with COVID Wales COVID restrictions to remain due to soaring Omicron cases