Epping Migrant Hadush Kebatu’s Jail Release Mind-Blowing Says Mp

The Mistaken Release of Hadush Kebatu

Epping migrant Hadush Kebatu, who was serving a 12-month prison sentence for sexually assaulting a girl and a woman, was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about the accuracy of prison records and procedures.

Kebatu, an Ethiopian national described in court as having “little respect for women,” was sentenced to 12 months at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in September after being arrested on July 8. He had been living at The Bell Hotel in Epping following his arrival in the UK via a small boat just days prior to his arrest.

Public Outcry and Calls for Investigation

The accidental release was met with immediate public outrage, particularly from local politicians who have long grappled with tensions over housing asylum seekers. Chelmsford MP Marie Goldman described the situation as a “mind-blowing” blunder that needs to be thoroughly investigated.

“My mind has blown – how this could possibly happen?” said Marie Goldman, adding that it is crucial to understand what went wrong and ensure such an error does not repeat itself in the future.

Goldman called for a “full and rapid” public inquiry into the mistake and stressed the need for Essex Police to be fully supported in their efforts to locate Kebatu. She emphasized, “We need to make sure that it not only never happens again in Chelmsford but that it doesn’t happen anywhere in the country.”

Legal and Policy Implications

The case highlights the complex legal framework surrounding the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of criminal offenses. Under the UK Borders Act 2007, a deportation order must be made for individuals who have been convicted of an offense with a custodial sentence of at least 12 months. Kebatu was meant to be transported to an immigration detention center prior to his deportation but was mistakenly set free.

David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, expressed his “appalled” reaction and described the release as “totally unacceptable.” Sir Keir Starmer also condemned the incident, stating that it is “unacceptable.”

The Future of Immigration Policy

This incident has reignited debates about immigration policies and procedures. The case of Kebatu serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when systems fail to function correctly. Local politicians like Stephen Robinson from Chelmsford City Council emphasized the urgency to locate and deport Kebatu, saying it is “outrageous.”

The incident has also brought into focus the broader issue of how prisons handle the transfer of inmates for deportation purposes, especially when dealing with complex legal cases involving asylum seekers.

Critics argue that there needs to be a more robust system in place to prevent such errors from occurring.

“The buck has to stop somewhere and it has to stop at the top, at the justice secretary, the home secretary, and the prime minister,” stated Neil Hudson, Conservative MP for Epping.

As the search for Kebatu continues, the incident underscores the critical need for a comprehensive review of current practices. The accidental release raises questions about the reliability of prison records, the coordination between different agencies involved in deportation procedures, and the overall effectiveness of immigration policies in dealing with such cases.

The public inquiry called for by Marie Goldman will likely delve into these issues, aiming to provide answers and recommendations to prevent similar incidents from happening again. The case of Hadush Kebatu serves as a poignant reminder that even when laws are in place, human error can have significant consequences.