Brave father, 45, catches convicted paedophile on the bus after police launch manhunt because he had been let out of jail by mistake

  • Manhunt launched after Valerijs Gordijs was 'released in error' from HMP Hull
  • Gordijis, 46, had been serving a sentence for sexual offences against children
  • He was recaptured after Graham Lamb recognised his picture from Facebook

By AMIE GORDON FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

Valerijs Gordijs was 'released in error' from HMP Hull

Valerijs Gordijs was 'released in error' from HMP Hull

A convicted paedophile who was let out of jail by mistake was caught and put back behind bars after a man spotted him on the bus.

A manhunt was launched after Valerijs Gordijs, who was serving a sentence for sexual offences against children, was 'released in error' from HMP Hull on Monday.

But he was recaptured the next day after Graham Lamb recognised him from a scar above his left eye and chased after him, before alerting police. 

Police had warned members of the public not to approach the 46-year-old fugitive. 

As Mr Lamb attempted to get the bus driver to stop and call police, Gordijs jumped off the bus, but Mr Lamb chased after him and ordered him to stay put while he dialled 999.

Mr Lamb, 45, from Hull, took a selfie with his thumbs up to celebrate the citizen's arrest.

Mr Lamb, 45, from Hull, took a selfie with his thumbs up to celebrate the citizen's arrest
Graham Lamb recognised the convicted paedophile and chased after him before alerting police

Graham Lamb recognised the convicted paedophile and chased after him before alerting police

He said: 'He got on and I thought it it can't be that much of a coincidence but he was right in front of me.

'I was checking Facebook and it popped up saying convicted paedophile was out of prison, and he was right in front of me on the bus.

'I kept looking at him and he kept looking at me. I brought up his picture on my phone and that was when I was certain it was the same guy.' 

Mr Lamb told the bus driver to stop so he could ring the police, but Gordijs fled.

'I showed her the picture and he looked at the phone and tried getting off the bus so I went after him. He tried to avoid me so I said 'stay there' and I rang the police.

'He had the same scar above his left eye. I knew it was him. As soon as the bus pulled away there was a police car right next to it so I flagged it down.

'He deserves to be back in prison and I am glad that he is off the streets and is no longer a danger to anyone else or any other children.'

As Mr Lamb attempted to get the bus driver to stop and call police, Gordijs jumped off the bus, b ut Mr Lamb chased after him and ordered him to stay put while he dialled 999

As Mr Lamb attempted to get the bus driver to stop and call police, Gordijs jumped off the bus, b ut Mr Lamb chased after him and ordered him to stay put while he dialled 999

The Ministry of Justice said: 'Valerijs Gordijs was released in error from HMP Hull yesterday but has since been recaptured.

'Releases in error are very rare but we take them extremely seriously and working closely with police to bring offenders back into custody quickly.'

A Humberside Police spokesman added: 'Following our media appeal, Valerijs Gordijis was arrested and will be returned to prison.' 

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