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A man freed from prison under the Government’s early release scheme has been charged with murder.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was released as part of the drive to reduce prison overcrowding, The Times has reported.

It is the most serious offence alleged to have been committed by someone released under the scheme, which allows some offenders to be freed after serving 40 per cent of their sentence, rather than 50 per cent.

The scheme applies to prisoners serving a determinate sentence, the most common form of prison sentence, but excludes those convicted of sexual offences, domestic abuse and national security-related offences such as terrorism.

Violent offenders sentenced to more than four years are also excluded.

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