Vic man's wrongful release 'not his fault'

The case of a Victorian man who was wrongfully released from custody is a matter of great concern, a senior magistrate says.

A man facing assault charges was wrongfully released from custody through no fault of his own, a Victorian magistrate says.

Andrew Males, 35, was mistakenly released in April while facing serious assault and animal cruelty charges.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Jelena Popovic said Males had not played a part in the error.

"It is not his fault that he was released," she said on Monday.

"He did nothing to cause his release."

Ms Popovic said the mistake had raised questions about the management of prisoners.

"It is a matter of great concern to the court," she said.

The mistake was realised when Males did not appear for a court hearing on May 22, despite supposedly being on remand.

He was rearrested two days later.

Males is charged with making a threat to kill, intentionally causing serious injury and assaulting someone with a knife.

He is also accused of the attempted strangulation of a cat.

Males, of Altona North, said he did not understand the attention his case had received.

"You have got me back in custody, that's all that matters," he told the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

The matter was adjourned for a bail application on June 16.


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Source: AAP


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