Authorities have launched a widespread search following the erroneous release from prison of a former asylum seeker convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian national who entered the UK via small boat, was serving a 12-month sentence for the assault, which occurred in Epping, Essex, last month.
Sources within the prison system indicate that Kebatu was scheduled for transfer to an immigration detention center pending deportation proceedings. The Prison Service has initiated a formal investigation into the matter, with one officer being temporarily relieved of duties during the inquiry.
Essex Police have stated that “rapid investigations have revealed that the individual boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford Railway Station at 12:41 BST”.
Justice Secretary David Lammy expressed his dismay, stating he was “appalled at the release in error at HMP Chelmsford”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for Kebatu’s swift apprehension and deportation, emphasizing that he “must be caught and deported for his crimes”.
Kebatu’s initial arrest sparked protests outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, where he had been residing.
Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard in September that Kebatu attempted to kiss the teenage girl on a bench and made multiple sexually suggestive comments on July 7.
The following day, he approached the same girl, again attempting to kiss her before sexually assaulting her. He also sexually assaulted a woman who had offered assistance in creating a CV for employment purposes.
Following his conviction on five offences in September, he received a 12-month sentence and a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from approaching or contacting any female.
During the trial, Kebatu stated his date of birth as December 1986, indicating an age of 38, although court records suggested he was 41.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of 10 years.
A Prison Service spokesperson stated: “We are urgently collaborating with law enforcement to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford.
“Public protection is our utmost priority, and we have initiated an investigation into this incident.”
An Essex Police spokesperson confirmed that they were notified by the prison service regarding “an error” related to “the release of an individual” at 12:57.
“Consequently, we have launched a search operation to locate them and are working closely with partner agencies,” they added.
“These fast-paced enquiries have shown that the man boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford Railway Station at 12:41.
“We acknowledge the public’s concern regarding this situation and assure you that officers are working diligently to urgently locate and detain him.”
In a post on X, Lammy stated: “We are urgently working with the police to track him down, and I’ve ordered an urgent investigation.
“Kebatu must be deported for his crimes, not on our streets.”
Sir Keir described the mistaken release as “totally unacceptable”.
Writing on X, he added: “I am appalled that it has happened, and it’s being investigated.
“The police are working urgently to track him down, and my government is supporting them. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes.”
Chelmsford’s Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman called for a swift public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the mistaken release, which was initially reported by The Sun.
“This is utterly unacceptable and has potentially put my constituents in danger,” she stated. “I expect answers from the Prison Service.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asserted that the “entire system is collapsing under Labour”.
“Conservatives voted against Labour’s prisoner release program because it was putting predators back on our streets,” she stated on X.
“But this man has only just been convicted. A level of incompetence that beggars belief.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage commented: “He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is broken.”
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