New CCTV footage shows missing sex offender Hadush Kebatu inside a library in Dalston Square, east London, as the manhunt for him continues. The Ethiopian national was captured on camera at 6pm on Friday carrying a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados and wearing his grey prison-issue tracksuit.
Kebatu was wrongly released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning instead of being transferred to an immigration detention centre. The 34-year-old had been jailed for 12 months in September for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl, just eight days after arriving in the UK by small boat on 29 June.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed Kebatu was last seen in Hackney just before 8pm on Friday. He took a train from Chelmsford to Stratford, arriving at 1:12pm, before making his way to east London.
Witness account emerges
A delivery driver witnessed Kebatu returning to the prison gates four to five times in a "confused state" before being turned away by staff. According to the Bristol Post, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed the accuracy of this witness account and explained that deportation cases follow specific discharge grant procedures.
The account suggests the administrative error could have been prevented with proper procedures. A prison officer has been removed from discharge duties pending investigation, the Bristol Post reports.
Political response intensifies
Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Labour) called the situation "totally unacceptable" and demanded Kebatu's immediate deportation once recaptured. The case has reignited debates over immigration detention procedures and prison administration at the highest levels of government.
The incident highlights broader concerns about public safety when administrative failures occur in sensitive cases. Officers are continuing their search across east London as the manhunt enters its third day.
Systemic prison failures
The incident reflects wider problems in the prison system, with MyLondon reporting that 262 prisoners were released in error over the past 12 months. This represents a 128% increase from the previous year, raising serious questions about institutional safeguards.
The Ethiopian national's case began shortly after his arrival by small boat, with the sexual assault occurring on 7-8 July. He was convicted in September after a three-day trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Sources used: "Independent", "MyLondon", "Express", "Bristol Post"
Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
