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Murder suspect mistakenly freed Murder suspect mistakenly freed
(about 1 hour later)
A man from Essex charged with murder has been mistakenly released from prison, police have revealed. A man from Essex charged with murder has been mistakenly freed from prison.
Jason Bethell, 31, of Broadway, Jaywick, is charged with murdering John Smith, 58, of Jaywick, who was stabbed in July and died from his wounds. Jason Bethell, 31, of Broadway, Jaywick, is accused of murdering John Smith, 58, also of Jaywick, who was stabbed in July. He died in September.
On 9 November Mr Bethell was remanded in custody to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 1 February 2010.On 9 November Mr Bethell was remanded in custody to appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on 1 February 2010.
But a week later, on Monday, he was released from Chelmsford Prison and police have now been informed. But seven days later, he was released from Chelmsford Prison. Police are now trying to find him, while a Prison Service investigation is taking place.
Tattoo on arm Bulldog tattoo
Police have issued an appeal for information to find Mr Bethell. Mr Smith received stab wounds in Jaywick on 11 July. He died in hospital on 18 September.
John Smith received stab wounds following an incident in Jaywick on Saturday 11 July this year. He died in hospital on 18 September.
Det Supt John Quinton said: "Mr Bethell should be in prison awaiting trial and we want to get him back in custody as quickly as possible.Det Supt John Quinton said: "Mr Bethell should be in prison awaiting trial and we want to get him back in custody as quickly as possible.
"If anyone knows where he is they should let us know immediately." "If anyone knows where he is, they should let us know immediately."
Mr Bethell is described as white, with a thin build, shaven dark brown hair, with a tattoo on his right arm. The Prison Service has developed robust procedures to deal with such situations Prison Service spokesperson
Mr Bethell is described as white and thin with shaven dark brown hair.
He has tattoos of a bulldog on his upper right arm and the word "Harley" on his right forearm.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: "An internal investigation into this release is under way.
"The police were informed as soon as we became aware of the error and we are working with them to return this individual to custody as quickly as possible.
"Ministers and the Prison Service take this sort of incident very seriously.
"The Prison Service has developed robust procedures to deal with such situations."