Error leads to man being in cell

A man found himself recovering from the festive period in a jail cell after the wrong information was entered on to the police computer system.

William Chambers, 35, was arrested at 6.35pm on Christmas Day by Kent Police officers responding to information on the Police National Computer which stated a warrant without bail had been issued by a judge. Chambers was due to go to Croydon Crown Court on December 22 over assault charges but failed to turn up.

In his absence a warrant with bail was issued, meaning as soon as police tracked him down he should have been given a new court date and released. Instead Chambers, of Orpington, was remanded at Tonbridge police station until Friday, December 30, when he appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court and was bailed to appear at crown court at a later date.

People detained unlawfully can seek thousands of pounds in compensation although police confirmed that no complaint has yet been received.