Key Highlights
- An Ethiopian national was accidentally released from a UK prison and is now at large in London after being jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
- The man, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, had been staying at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where protests have been ongoing due to concerns over asylum seekers.
- Three police forces are searching for the dangerous asylum seeker, with the Justice Secretary expressing anger and calling for an investigation into the incident.
- The prison service is conducting an internal investigation into how Kebatu was mistakenly released from custody.
A Mistaken Release Sparks Manhunt in Essex
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian national jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, is now at large after being accidentally released from HMP Chelmsford. The man, who had been staying at The Bell Hotel in Essex, was due to be immediately deported but instead boarded a train to London shortly after midday on Friday.
The incident has sparked outrage and calls for answers, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy expressing his anger over what he called “a completely unacceptable mistake.” Kebatu’s lawyer had previously stated that it was his client’s firm wish to be deported. However, due to an error in the prison release process, he was mistakenly freed from custody.
Background on the Sexual Assault Case
The case against Kebatu began when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and attempted to assault another woman after arriving in the UK on July 7. During his trial, it emerged that Kebatu had tried to kiss the teenager and touched her thigh while she was offering him pizza. He also invited the girl and her friend back to the hotel, telling them he wanted to have a baby with them.
These incidents led to anti-migrant protests in Epping and across the country, raising concerns about the safety of local communities.
Kebatu was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and harassment without violence. Judge Christopher Williams described him as posing a “significant risk of reoffending,” sentencing him to 12 months in prison.
Investigation and Future Implications
The Home Office was ready to take Kebatu to an immigration removal centre upon his release, but the error led to his accidental escape. The Prison Service has launched an urgent investigation into how this mistake occurred, stating that releases in error are incredibly rare and taken very seriously.
Former Labour home affairs advisor Danny Shadow revealed that last year saw 87 prisoners released in error, averaging around six per month. This incident has raised questions about the reliability of the prison release process and prompted calls for a full public inquiry into how such an error could occur.
“Kebatu must be deported for his crimes, not on our streets,” tweeted Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, emphasizing that this case highlights significant flaws in the current system. The government is supporting efforts to track down Kebatu and ensure he does not pose a threat to public safety.
