The Metropolitan Police have assumed control of the search for a convicted sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison. There is a strong belief that the asylum seeker, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, is currently in London. The public is urged to contact 999 immediately if they spot Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national who served a 12-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu had been residing at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, before his conviction.
Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed that Kebatu was on the loose in London after being seen boarding a train at Chelmsford. The Metropolitan Police took over the search from Essex Police after Kebatu disembarked at Stratford in east London. Stratford station, one of the UK’s busiest, offers connections to the London underground, London overground, and Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
Commander James Conway emphasized that finding Kebatu is a top priority for the Met. The search is led by an experienced investigator with support from the Specialist Crime Command to track down wanted individuals. The police are analyzing CCTV footage to trace Kebatu’s movements, but updates will be provided discreetly to maintain the effectiveness of the manhunt.
Kebatu was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford and given a discharge grant of £76 instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center. Anyone with information on Kebatu’s whereabouts is urged to contact authorities immediately. Keir Starmer condemned the accidental release as “unacceptable” and assured support in capturing and deporting Kebatu. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Lammy expressed anger on behalf of the public, and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp called for a public inquiry into the incident.
Following an inspection in January and February 2024, a report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons highlighted significant challenges at HMP Chelmsford due to national capacity issues and staff shortages. During his sentencing last month, a judge criticized Kebatu’s disrespectful behavior towards women.
The 38-year-old, who arrived in the UK shortly before the incidents in July, made inappropriate advances towards two teenagers and a woman. Kebatu was found guilty of multiple offenses and expressed a desire to be deported. Discrepancies in his date of birth have caused confusion, with Essex Police records indicating he may be older than previously thought. The Home Office was prepared to transfer him to an immigration removal center for deportation.