Police detain wrong man with right name

LONDON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Court officials in Lincoln, England, say a man was mistakenly detained for three days because he has the same name as a wanted man.

Andrew Carpenter, 49, was arrested after officers spoke to him Friday and found his name in a police database that claimed an Andrew Carpenter from Boston, England, was wanted for failure to supply information when caught speeding, the Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

Richard Marshall, attorney for the incorrectly incarcerated Carpenter, said his client was arrested despite his protestations and the warrant's lack of a birth date for the wanted man.

"The warrant did not have the date of birth and he had never been to Lincoln or Boston in his life. It's ridiculous," Marshall said.

Carpenter was held for three days and transported 160 miles from his home in Slough, England, before court officials realized he was not the right man.

"The system has failed as far as you are concerned, and I apologize," District Judge Richard Blake told Carpenter.

Carpenter, who was released without charge, said he may seek legal action against the authorities.