Catalogue of errors Convicts mistakenly released early

♦ Damien Bendall, 33, murdered his partner Terri Harris and three children after being wrongly classed as “medium” risk and was freed on a suspended sentence. Probation officers failed to take account of vital information about his violent past, a previous allegation of domestic abuse and a police alert over his alleged sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl, a review said.

♦ Joseph Mccann was released from prison due to “major failings” by inexperienced probation staff. Officials were warned Mccann had the hallmarks of a sex offender as early as 2011, but officers missed eight chances to keep him behind bars. He went on to rape, abduct and assault 11 women and children.