UK Migrant Sex Offender Mistakenly Released By London Prison Staff, Re-Arrested

Last Updated:October 26, 2025, 21:03 IST

Hadush Kebatu, sentenced for 12 months for sexually attacking a 14-year-old woman and a lady in Essex, was inadvertently launched by jail personnel, triggering a two-day manhunt.

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Hadush Kebatu, sentenced for sexually attacking a 14-year-old lady and a lady, was erroneously launched by London jail personnel, stimulating a two-day manhunt. He was re-arrested after a tip-off from the general public. Prime Minister Keir Starmer validated Kebatu will be deported.

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A migrant in the United Kingdom, who was apprehended for supposed sex offenses, was erroneously launched by the jail personnel due to a mistake before he was set to be deported, stimulating a two-day manhunt that triggered ripples within the nation’s political circles, according to a report by the BBC

Hadush Kebatu, who was sentenced last month for sexually attacking a 14-year-old woman and a lady in Epping while residing in an asylum hotel, was because of be deported when he was incorrectly released by jail personnel at HMP Chelmsford. He was re-arrested on Sunday.

He was serving a 12-month sentence at the time of the occurrence. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer states Kebatu “will be deported” and Justice Secretary David Lammy has ordered a full investigation into Friday’s release.

How Was The Suspect Freed?

The police launched a manhunt to locate Kebatu after police were informed by the Prison Service that there had been “an error” and he had actually been incorrectly launched. Jail sources informed the BBC that the personnel led him away and towards the train station. Kebatu likewise apparently tried to go back to jail a number of times however was turned away, based on regional reports.

Cops stated Kebatu was shot in Chelmsford city centre speaking with members of the general public quickly after he was launched, and approached a number of individuals looking for support. He is likewise thought to have actually made a number of train journeys throughout London.

The huge mistake brought on by the jail personnel triggered a political storm in the UK as opposition legislators required a comprehensive probe into the scenarios that resulted in the incorrect release. Little has actually emerged up until now on how Kebatu was released, and a jail officer has actually been suspended pending an examination into the matter.

How Was Kebatu Re-Arrested?

The London Metropolitan Police stated a member of the general public tipped off cops that they had actually identified a guy they thought might be Kebatu at a bus stop near Finsbury Park station on Sunday early morning. Officers were sent out to the location and situated him 16 minutes later on. An eyewitness stated Kebatu looked “dejected” but “calm”

“Hadush Kebatu, who was launched in mistake from HMP Chelmsford on Friday early morning, has actually been detained,” said the police in a statement. “Information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park and following a search, they located Mr Kebatu. He was detained by police, but will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service.”

Prime Minister Starmer stated Kebatu will be deported, amongst comparable calls by MPs. “Officers have actually worked rapidly and vigilantly to bring him back into custody. We have actually purchased an examination to develop what failed. We should make certain this does not take place once again,” he said.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also said Kebatu will be deported “as quickly as possible” and thanked the police for their “determined work” in locating the sex offender.

Who Is Hadush Kebatu?

Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex. He was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence.

In September, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard Kebatu tried to kiss a teenage girl on a bench and made numerous sexually explicit comments. The next day, he allegedly encountered the same girl and tried to kiss her before sexually assaulting her. However, Kebatu denied the charges against him but was found guilty of five offences. During his trial, the court heard it was Kebatu’s “firm wish” to be deported.

His unintentional release from jail triggered a war of words amongst British legislators. Reactionary Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated the event revealed that the UK’s “once-trusted organizations were breaking down before our eyes.”

Conservative MP Neil Hudson has described Kebatu’s arrest as a “huge relief” and required that the Labour federal government take complete obligation for this significant breach.