A manhunt is under way for an "extremely dangerous" prisoner mistakenly released just months into a nine-year sentence.

Ralston Dodd, who was jailed after almost stabbing someone to death, is reportedly on the run from HMP Thameside in southeast London after a "clerical error".

The 25-year-old was reportedly spotted in a car by his victim.

Dodd pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent after knifing a 21-year-old in the back three times outside Islington Council offices last September.

He was arrested three weeks after the attack following an extensive manhunt.


At the time of his sentencing police described the crime as: "An appalling act of violence that almost cost a man his life. The seriousness of this offence is reflected in the extensive prison sentence."

However, an incorrectly recorded term has meant that a second manhunt is now under way to re-arrest Dodd, who appears to have gone into hiding.

The victim's father told The Sun: "This is an unacceptable blunder by them. He got nine years for stabbing my son three times.

"He could have died. I held my son and thought he was going to die. How can this happen without anyone noticing?"

The victim has now made a full recovery after sustaining serious injuries in the attack.

The Ministry of Justice described the error as "extremely rare" and said the police were currently "pursuing the offender".

Anyone who may know Dodd's whereabouts is asked to call Islington police via 101.