A convicted rapist who threatened his victim with a knife is on the run after being accidentally released from prison. Bernadin Dedic, 48, was set free from HMP Wormwood Scrubs in February due to a court error and promptly fled the UK to his native Bosnia.
Details of the attack
Dedic, a businessman from Ealing, west London, had consumed up to four bottles of red wine and cocaine before luring a woman to his basement. He brandished a red-handled oriental kitchen knife, threatened to kill her, and then subjected her to multiple rapes and sexual assaults over several hours. The court heard that he cut off her clothes and told her that if she screamed, she would not be heard.
Mistaken release and flight
In February, a court official mistakenly recorded that Dedic had been granted bail, leading to his release from prison. Within hours, he used his Bosnian passport to board the Eurostar and return to Bosnia. Despite claiming he wanted to return for trial, he offered excuses including a heart attack and a skiing accident.
Trial in absentia
On Tuesday, a jury at Isleworth Crown Court convicted Dedic on all nine counts in his absence. Judge Hannah Duncan dismissed his medical excuses, stating, 'This is yet another attempt by Mr Dedic to obstruct, manipulate and avoid justice.' If he does not return for sentencing, extradition proceedings are expected.
Systemic failure
Judge Martin Edmunds KC noted that the erroneous release was 'extremely rare' but promised a full investigation. HM Courts and Tribunals Service acknowledged the distress caused and said the incident exposed 'deep-rooted issues across the broken justice system.'
