Knife-man Sentenced To Nine Years In Prison Walks Free After Serving Just NINE Months
A Knife-man jailed for nine years is free because bungling court staff wrote nine months on prison forms.
Ralston Dodd, 25, was locked up last year after he almost killed Jerrell Holland by stabbing him in the back three times.
But stunned Jerrell spotted Dodd in North London just weeks ago. An arrest warrant was issued after the court error was revealed — but Dodd has now gone into hiding.
Friends of the knife thug say he thought he had won the lottery when a court blunder freed him after a few months.
Ralston Dodd, 25, known as Ratty, stabbed Jerrell Holland three times in the back and punctured his lung after a row.
He was handed the stiff sentence for GBH in November for what was described as an “appalling act of violence that nearly cost a man his life”.
But it is believed crown court staff misheard the judge’s sentence and mistakenly filled out prison forms for a nine-month jail term instead.
It meant prison staff wrongly put Dodd back on the streets within months of him being sent down.
A friend said: “He couldn’t believe his luck. He feels like he’s won the lottery and all of his Christmases have come at once.
“He’s had to keep his head down in case anyone spots him.
“It’s unbelievable how it’s happened. He has a violent temperament — and now he’s out.”
The friend said Dodd even tried to arrange an appointment with a probation officer after his early release.
But they said they had no record of him needing their services as he was not expected to be free until 2026.
It is not known exactly when Dodd was released from HMP Thameside. But criminals are usually freed halfway through their sentence.
Original Article: The Sun
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