Man on sex charges freed by accident

A MAN charged with serious sexual offences was accidentally released from prison, officials said yesterday.

An international police operation involving Interpol and officers from both sides of the Irish border has been launched to trace Devidas Paliutis, 27, originally from Lithuania, who was released in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford ordered a full inquiry when it was revealed the man was freed when charges against him were withdrawn during court proceedings, but officials failed to spot that they had been substituted with fresh charges.

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The prisoner appeared at Newry Magistrates' Court in Co Down via video link from Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim on Wednesday.

He was charged with serious sexual offences, and unlawful and injurious imprisonment.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service was advised that the holding charges were withdrawn from the magistrates' court.

However, they failed to act on the notification that other charges had been substituted, for which he was returned for trial to the crown court.

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As a result of the error, he was mistakenly released from jail.

The Department of Justice said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland, An Garda Siochana and Interpol have been advised and are co-ordinating efforts to have Mr Paliutis returned to custody.

"Steps are being taken to safeguard the interests of the victim of the alleged crime.

"Justice Minister David Ford has ordered an immediate and full inquiry into the circumstances which led to this release.

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"He will invite the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice to review the findings."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott said he was deeply concerned over the episode.

"This is a highly unusual and disturbing circumstance, and I hope that the authorities will locate the man in question as quickly as possible," he said.

"The implications of such an error must be looked at in depth by the Justice Minister, and I would question how on earth something like this could happen."