A man described by authorities as an Afghan national, who was serving a prison sentence for an unprovoked attack on a woman in north London, has died while in custody, prompting a formal investigation.

The individual had been jailed following a widely reported incident in which a young woman was assaulted in a public street. Footage from a private doorbell camera later circulated online and played a key role in the case.

The Prison Service confirmed the death and said standard procedures have been triggered, including notification of the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. As with all deaths in custody, the circumstances will be independently reviewed.

The victim and her family have been informed, and support services are continuing to be made available to them.

The case has reignited public discussion about community safety, offender management and whether warning signs were missed before the attack took place. Several commentators have also called for clearer information about how individuals with complex backgrounds are monitored and supported once they enter the criminal justice system.

Officials have stressed that it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of death while inquiries remain ongoing.