A man who had been incarcerated for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl has been sighted boarding a London-bound train after being mistakenly released from jail. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national residing at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was sentenced to 12 months in September. Essex Police confirmed the incident and have initiated a manhunt to locate the escaped convict.
Reports by The Sun revealed that Kebatu was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention center for deportation but was erroneously set free. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed his dismay over the blunder, stating, “We are urgently collaborating with law enforcement to apprehend him, and I have ordered a prompt investigation. Kebatu must face deportation for his offenses and not roam freely in our communities.” It was disclosed that Kebatu was mistakenly released on Friday morning from HMP Chelmsford.
A prison official has been relieved of duties related to prisoner releases pending an ongoing inquiry. A spokesperson from the Prison Service commented, “We are actively cooperating with the authorities to re-incarcerate an offender released in error from HMP Chelmsford.”
The 38-year-old asylum seeker, who had recently arrived in the UK via a small boat, allegedly made inappropriate advances towards two teenagers, expressing his desire to “have a baby with each of them,” attempting to kiss them, touching one girl’s thigh, and stroking her hair, as detailed in his trial. His case sparked demonstrations in Epping, Essex, with both protesters and counter-protesters gathering outside hotels that accommodate asylum seekers nationwide.
