A man allegedly sexually assaulted a woman on the same day he was released from prison under the government’s early release scheme.

He allegedly reoffended in Sittingbourne in Kent and was later arrested at an address in south London.

He was among more than 1,700 inmates released from prison last week in a bid to ease prison overcrowding, which the government said did not include terrorists and previously convicted sex offenders.

The former inmate appeared at a magistrate’s court on Thursday charged with sexual assault. He is due to appear at crown court next month.

He has been recalled to prison.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “The government inherited prisons in crisis and on the brink of collapse. Had that happened, the courts would have been unable to hold trials and the police to make arrests.

“We had no choice but to introduce emergency measures, releasing some prisoners a few weeks or months early, while excluding a number of offences and imposing strict licence conditions.

“While we cannot comment on the details of any single case, those who break their licence conditions or commit further crimes will be punished.”

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3:03

Released prisoners speak to Sky News

The government policy, which aims to ease prison overcrowding, temporarily cut the time some inmates must serve behind bars from 50% to 40%.

Criminals serving prison sentences of less than four years for violent offences, including manslaughter, are among those eligible to be freed.

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Around 1,750 prisoners were freed from jails across England and Wales on Tuesday.

Pictures showed an inmate being sprayed with bubbly by friends at the prison gates as they were released.

Despite government efforts to prevent domestic abusers from leaving prison early, the restrictions will not apply to all criminals with a history of such violence, as the policy only excludes particular offences such as stalking.

Attackers convicted of other crimes such as threats to kill or actual bodily harm could still qualify for early release.