Hunt continues for migrant sex offender released from prison by mistake

Police are still searching for an asylum seeker who was accidentally released from prison after being jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was jailed for 12 months in September.

Justice Secretary David Lammy said on Friday night that Kebatu was ‘at large in London’ after he was seen boarding a train at Chelmsford.

The father of Kebatu’s teenage victim told Sky News: ‘The justice system has let us down.’

The Sun first reported on Friday Kebatu was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported, but was freed by mistake.

He was wrongly categorised as a prisoner due to be released on licence and handed a £76 discharge grant, the Telegraph reported.

Sir Keir Starmer said the accidental release was ‘totally unacceptable’.

The Prime Minister said: ‘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.’

Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lammy said was ‘livid on behalf of the public’ and added that he had launched an investigation into the error.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said that Kebatu’s release was ‘staggering incompetence’ and called for a public inquiry.

He told Sky News: ‘We certainly need a public inquiry into how this dangerous illegal immigrant, who is also a child sex offender, got released.

‘We also need an urgent apology from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Justice Secretary David Lammy who have presided over this fiasco.’

A statement from Essex Police said that it had officers ‘working to urgently locate and detain him’ after he was seen to catch a train at Chelmsford railway station.

It said: ‘We were informed by the prison service at 12.57pm today (Friday 24 October) of an error this morning surrounding the release of an individual.

‘As a result of that, we have launched a search operation to locate them and are working closely with partner agencies.

‘These fast-paced enquiries have shown that the man boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford Railway Station at 12.41pm.

‘We understand the concern the public would have regarding this situation and can assure you we have officers working to urgently locate and detain him.’

The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 13.18pm, according to Trainline data.

A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford.

‘Public protection is our top priority and we have launched an investigation into this incident.’

Sentencing Kebatu last month, a judge told him his behaviour ‘really highlights the poor regard you must have for women’.

The 38-year-old, who arrived in the UK on a small boat days before the incidents in July, told two teenagers he wanted to ‘have a baby with each of them’ and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one of the girls’ thighs and stroke her hair, his trial was told.

He was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty.

The migrant was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates’ courts in September.

The court heard at his sentencing hearing it was his ‘firm wish’ to be deported.

It is understood the Home Office was ready to take him to an immigration removal centre before a planned deportation from the UK.

Kebatu’s case led to protesters and counter-protesters taking to the streets in Epping, Essex, and eventually outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.

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