The criminal justice system has been slammed over the manslaughter of an innocent man on a bus by a schizophrenic wrongly freed from custody.

An inquiry found officials in the courts, probation and police showed "apparent acceptance" of breached bail conditions. It related to the murder of Richard Whelan who was stabbed seven times, including once through the heart, by Anthony Joseph in July 2005.

Joseph - also known as Anthony Peart - killed Mr Whelan after the 28-year-old tried to stop him throwing chips at his girlfriend on the top deck of the No 43 bus in Holloway, north London, just hours after his release from prison.

He had been freed despite a warrant being issued by Merseyside Police for his arrest over an alleged burglary. The force was unaware he had been in custody because a computer system had not been updated.

Joseph admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after being formally acquitted of murder when two trials failed to produce verdicts. He was sent to Broadmoor secure hospital in December.

The report by criminal justice watchdogs said: "There seems to be too ready an acceptance of the commission of offences while on bail, insufficient rigour in respect of checking the validity of proposed bail conditions, and an apparent acceptance of the continual breach of bail conditions."

The report recommended that ministers should look at giving prisons "enhanced access" to the Police National Computer so they have full information about individual inmates, and whether there are outstanding charges or warrants.

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