Damilola’s killer sent back to jail 16 days after release

Damilola

One of the killers of schoolboy Damilola Taylor has been recalled to jail just 16 days after being released.

It is the second time Ricky Preddie has been sent back to prison.

Preddie, who was jailed for eight years in 2006 for the manslaughter of the 10-year-old, was originally released in September 2010 but was sent back to jail last March for breaking the conditions of his licence.

On that occasion, he was recalled after being seen in Southwark, South London, associating with gang members - both against the terms of his release.

He was recalled last night for breaching the terms of his licence put in place when he was released from north London’s Pentonville Prison on January 25.

Gary Trowsdale, managing director of the Damilola Taylor Trust, warned that there was no evidence Preddie, 24, had been reformed when he was released last month.

He said: “What can we do, though? The system is the system, and the system is flawed.”

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “The decision to release recalled offenders from custody is made by the independent Parole Board - the body solely responsible in law for determining whether or not prisoners should be released.

“Serious offenders released on licence are subject to a strict set of conditions and controls.

“Examples include a strict curfew and other restrictions on their movements, as well as frequent meetings with their offender manager.

“If they fail to comply with their licence conditions, they are liable to be returned to custody.

“They will also be managed under the statutory Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa).

“Within Mappa, the police, probation and prison services are required to work together to assess and manage the risks presented by the most dangerous offenders, in order to protect the public.”

Anyone recalled to custody will have their case referred within 28 days to the Parole Board, which will consider whether they can be released, a spokesman for the Parole Board said.

Preddie’s sentence is due to end in May 2013.

Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “At the request of the Ministry of Justice, police attended an address in London yesterday evening and arrested a man in his 20s for a recall to prison.”

Damilola’s death in November 2000 shocked the nation.