A HOME Office investigation has been launched after a remand prisoner was set free by mistake, The Northern Echo can reveal.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Steve Reddington, who was sent home from Sedgefield Magistrates' Court instead of being returned to Holme House Prison, in Stockton.

The Home Office Prison Service has notified local police, but stressed that the public should not be unduly alarmed.

The Northern Echo understands that the confusion arose when Mr Reddington was given technical unconditional bail for a secondary charge when he was taken to court on Tuesday, November 9.

Officials then released him, although he was still supposed to be returned to prison.

Mr Reddington was due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, this time via a satellite link-up, on Wednesday, November 24. Proceedings continued in his absence and his case was listed for trial on Monday.

The Home Office would not release details of the charges against Mr Reddington, but did say there was no need for the public to be alarmed.

A spokesman said: "A warrant for his arrest has been issued by magistrates and the local police informed. An investigation is under way surrounding the circumstances of his release."

A spokesman for Global Solutions Ltd (GSL), formerly the part of Group4 responsible for the transportation of prisoners, said: "We will investigate this matter and release a statement as soon as it is appropriate."

Neither the Home Office nor GSL would release further details about Mr Reddington or the investigation.