An asylum seeker accidentally released from prison was last seen in the "London area" as police urge anyone who spots him to call 999 immediately. Ethiopian national Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was jailed for 12 months in September for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
Justice Secretary David Lammy said on Friday night Kebatu was "at large in London" after he was seen boarding a train at Chelmsford, Essex. The Metropolitan Police is now assisting in the hunt for him alongside Essex Police and British Transport Police.
Essex Police confirmed their inquiries show "he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus". Officers worked throughout the night tracking his movements and scouring hours of CCTV footage, with the investigation continuing at pace.
Political Response
Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) described the accidental release as "totally unacceptable", saying: "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 Lammy said he was "livid on behalf of the public" and launched an investigation. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp described Kebatu's release as "staggering incompetence" and called for a public inquiry.
The father of Kebatu's teenage victim told Sky News: "The justice system has let us down." The Sun first reported that Kebatu was freed by mistake instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre.
Investigation Details
Kebatu was wrongly categorised as a prisoner due to be released on licence and handed a £76 discharge grant, according to the Telegraph. He was accidentally freed on Friday morning at HMP Chelmsford and caught a London-bound train at Chelmsford railway station at 12:41pm.
The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 13:18pm. A prison officer has been taken off duties to discharge prisoners while an investigation is under way.
A Prison Service spokesman said: "Public protection is our top priority and we have launched an investigation into this incident." Aaron Stow, president of the Criminal Justice Workers' Union, called it "a profound failure of duty" and "a betrayal of the victims, the community, and the principles of justice".
Wider Context
In the 12 months leading up to March this year, 262 prisoners were released in error in England and Wales - a 128% increase from 115 the previous year. Of these releases, 233 occurred from prison establishments while 29 were released in error at courts.
A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons said HMP Chelmsford faced "considerable pressures" due to "national capacity issues" and staff shortfalls. The remand and unsentenced population had risen to almost 70%, with the prison managing more admissions and releases without additional resources.
Kebatu arrived in the UK on a small boat days before committing the offences in July. He told two teenagers he wanted to "have a baby with each of them" and attempted to kiss them, before putting his hand on one girl's thigh and stroking her hair, his trial was told.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
