The Metropolitan Police has called on a failed asylum seeker who was wrongly released from jail to hand himself in, as they revealed that he has made several journeys across London.
Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu, 38, had been serving time for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The asylum seeker, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was jailed for 12 months in September.
Kebatu was seen getting off a London-bound train at Stratford station in East London on Friday, the Metropolitan Police said. He has made several journeys through the capital and has access to funds, police said as they made a public plea for Kebatu to hand himself in.
A delivery driver has said that he saw Kebatu confused and trying to get help after he was released from HMP Chelmsford only to be rebuffed by prison staff.
The driver said that Kebatu knew that he should be deported but the prison staff were "basically sending him away" and saying to him "Go, you've been released, you go".
Key Points
- Delivery driver describes seeing Kebatu confused and trying to get help from prison staff
- Met Police take over manhunt for Kebatu as he is seen at Stratford station
- Kebatu has sought help from members of the public and station staff in trips across London
- Father of 14-year-old girl assaulted by Kebatu says 'the justice system has let us down'
- Prison staff directed released asylum seeker to train station, delivery driver says
Met Police give update about manhunt for Epping migrant sex offender
17:29 , Holly BancroftCommander James Conway has given an update on the ongoing manhunt for Hadush Kebatu who was released in error from HMP Chelmsford yesterday morning.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 25, 2025
If you see him, please call 999. If you have any other information about his whereabouts, please call 101. pic.twitter.com/BHTrOMSvP5
Kebatu has sought help from members of the public and station staff in trips across London
17:04 , Holly BancroftReleased asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu has sought help from members of the public and spoken to station staff, police have said.
A senior Metropolitan Police officer has made a direct appeal to Kebatu to hand himself in after he was released by mistake from HMP Chelmsford.
Commander James Conway said that the asylum seeker had taken "a number of journeys" across London since his release on Friday and had "access to funds".
He said: "Mr Kebatu made his way to Chelmsford train station following his release from prison and boarded a train which departed at 12.42pm arriving in Stratford station at 1.12pm yesterday.
"Mr Kebatu was released wearing a prison issued grey tracksuit and holding a clear plastic bag containing his possessions.
"He has since made a number of train journeys across the London area.
"We believe he has access to funds, and critically, in both Chelmsford and London, we believe he has sought assistance from members of the public, and has spoken to station staff."
Mr Conway asked for members of the public who have provided Kebatu with assistance to contact them or anyone who sees him to call 999.
Released asylum seeker has made several journeys across London
16:48 , Holly BancroftMigrant sex offender Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu has access to funds and has made several train journeys across London, police said.
Commander James Conway, who is leading the manhunt, urged Kebatu to give himself up.
He said: "I am making a direct appeal to Mr Kebatu. We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way.
"You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff.
"The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station."
Recap: What we know about Epping hotel migrant who was mistakenly freed from prison
16:39 , Holly BancroftPolice are conducting a manhunt for an asylum seeker who was mistakenly released from prison on Friday.
Major demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping were seen earlier this year after Hadush Kebatu, who was staying there, sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl.
He was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported, but was accidentally freed on Friday.
Here is what we know, and don’t know, about Hadush Kebatu.
What we know about Epping hotel migrant who was mistakenly freed from prison
Analysis: In just 117 days ‘repulsive’ asylum seeker has sparked national anger and crises
16:15 , Holly BancroftWhen District Judge Christopher Williams jailed Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old, he said the asylum seeker “couldn’t have anticipated” his actions “would cause such a response from the public”.
In only 117 days since he arrived on a small boat from France, the actions of the former sports teacher from Ethiopia have sparked demonstrations around the country, acts of disorder, as well as a crisis for the government’s asylum housing policy.
This was followed by humiliation for the Prison Service and the government after Kebatu was accidentally released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday, with a manhunt involving Essex Police, the Met and British Transport Police launched.
Read more here:
In just 117 days ‘repulsive’ asylum seeker has sparked national anger and crises
Watch: Mistakenly released prisoner told to get on train by prison officer, claims witness
15:57 , Holly BancroftPrison staff directed released asylum seeker to train station, delivery driver says
15:35 , Holly BancroftA delivery driver has spoken about seeing asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu trying to get help from HMP Chelmsford staff after he was erroneously released from jail.
Speaking to Sky News, the driver, named only as Sim, said: “The guy was released. He walked out of the airlock. He then kept returning back to the airlock and basically saying to the officers there: ‘Where am I going? What am I doing? I don’t know where I am going or what I am doing.’ He was holding a pack of paperwork in his arm, holding his bag of bits.”
He added: “He came over to me and said ‘I need you to help me, I need you to help me’. His English was pretty good...I said I’m sorry I don’t know what to do.” The driver said Kebatu told him: “I’ve been deported”.
“He was presenting the paperwork that he had, and they [prison officers] were saying you’ve got to go to a set place - exactly what for I’m not sure, it was something to do with the deportation...but there was no address. There was no set address, to say this is where you are going, this is how you get there.”
The driver said the prison officers were sending Kebatu away each time. “It was about the fourth or fifth time that one of the officers started to help him,” he explained.
“It wasn’t the case of he’s released and he’s disappeared and ran off. He was standing around the prison trying to work out where he needed to go, for around an hour and a half.”
Someone then directed Kebatu to the station, and told him to get on a train, the driver said.
The driver delivered a fridge and freezer to Chelmsford prison, arriving at around 10:10am on Friday. He had to park outside because his lorry was too long to go in.
Delivery driver describes seeing Kebatu confused and trying to get help from prison staff
15:15 , Holly BancroftA delivery driver has described seeing released asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu trying to get help from prison staff only to be turned away.
The driver said he saw Kebatu after his release return to HMP Chelmsford in a "very confused" state "four or five times", only to be turned away by prison staff and directed to the railway station.
The driver, named only as Sim, told Sky News that he saw Kebatu come out of the prison saying "Where am I going? What am I doing?".
He said that Kebatu knew that he should be deported but the prison staff were "basically sending him away" and saying to him "Go, you've been released, you go".
The driver said: "He kept scratching his head and saying, 'Where do I go, where do I go?'
"The fourth or fifth time [he went into the reception] he was starting to get upset, he was getting stressed.
"I'm not sticking up for the guy, but in my eyes, he was trying to do the right thing.
"He knew he was getting deported, but he didn't know where he was going or how he should get there."
Epping hotel migrant accidentally freed from prison is ‘at large in London’, warns Lammy
15:00 , Bryony Gooch
Epping hotel migrant accidentally freed from prison boarded train to London
In pictures: Hadush Kebatu during his court trial
14:45 , Bryony Gooch
Recap: Finding Kebatu is a 'top priority' for the Met
14:22 , Bryony GoochCommander James Conway, of the Metropolitan Police, said finding Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu is a “top priority” for the force.
“The manhunt is being led by an experienced senior investigating officer. He has teams from the Specialist Crime Command with expertise in tracking down wanted people at his disposal, as well as other resources from across the Met.
“We’ve confirmed that Kebatu got off the London-bound train at Stratford station.
“We are examining CCTV from that area and further afield, including on the transport network, to establish information about his subsequent movements.
“We will provide further updates when we can, but I hope the press and the public will understand why it would be unhelpful to the effectiveness of the manhunt if we were to provide a detailed running commentary.
“Anyone who sees Kebatu, or has information about his whereabouts, should call 999 immediately.”
Watch: Video appears to show mistakenly released hotel asylum seeker in Chelmsford
14:12 , Bryony GoochKey timings in the manhunt for asylum seeker wrongly released from jail
13:55 , Holly BancroftA failed asylum seeker accidentally released from prison was last seen in the London area, police have said.
Here is a breakdown of the key timings in the manhunt so far:
12:41 Friday Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu gets on a London-bound train from Chelmsford station after his wrongful release from prison
12:57 Friday Essex Police were informed by the Prison Service that there had been an error and Kebatu had been released
Around 13:10 Friday Kebatu gets off the train at Stratford station, east London. The station is the fifth busiest in the UK and has links to the London underground, overground and Docklands Light Railway (DLR).
12:30 Saturday Metropolitan Police announces that they are taking over the manhunt and say they are examining CCTV from around Stratford and further afield to figure out where Kebatu went next
Recap: Wrongly released asylum seeker seen in east London
13:42 , Holly BancroftAn asylum seeker accidentally released from prison was last seen in the London area, police said, as officers urged 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 that Kebatu was "at large in London" after he was seen boarding a train at Chelmsford, Essex, and the Metropolitan Police were assisting in the hunt for him.
Responsibility for the manhunt was handed over from Essex Police to the Met on Saturday morning after it was confirmed that Kebatu had got off the train at Stratford.
Kebatu was freed by mistake at HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre.
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", adding: "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 he was "livid on behalf of the public" and added that he had launched an investigation.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Kebatu's release was "staggering incompetence" and called for a public inquiry.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said of the error: "Britain is broken."
Increase in prisoners being released in error
13:25 , Holly BancroftThe number of prisoners being released in error is on the rise, according to new analysis as Chelmsford MP criticises prison governor over Kebatu’s release.
Chelmsford's Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman has said she had been frustrated by a lack of communication from HMP Chelmsford's governor, Mark Howard, and said she was "struggling" not to call for him to resign.
Aaron Stow, president of the Criminal Justice Workers' Union (CJWU), said Kebatu's mistaken release was "a profound failure of duty".
He said: "The release of Hadush Kebatu is a betrayal of the victims, the community and the principles of justice. We demand a full investigation and immediate reforms to ensure this never happens again."
Mike Rolfe, the CJWU's general secretary, said: "The justice system is stretched to breaking point, the public's confidence is collapsing, and those tasked with enforcing the law are left to pick up the pieces of political cowardice."
In the 12 months to March this year, 262 prisoners were released in error in England and Wales, according to the prison service's annual digest.
"This is a 128 per cent increase from 115 the previous year, and the highest in the time series," the report said.
"Of the 262 releases in error, 233 of these releases in error occurred from prison establishments, while 29 were released in error at the courts."
A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons after an inspection in January and February 2024 said HMP Chelmsford faced "considerable pressures" because of "national capacity issues" while suffering staff shortfalls in reception and the pre-release team.
It said: "The remand and unsentenced population had risen to almost 70 per cent and the prison was now managing more admissions, transfers and immediate releases without additional resource."
What have the Metropolitan Police said?
13:00 , Holly BancroftThe Metropolitan Police have now taken over the manhunt for Kebatu, saying finding the Ethiopian failed asylum seeker was “a top priority”.
Commander James Conway said: “The manhunt is being led by an experienced Senior Investigating Officer. He has teams from the Specialist Crime Command with expertise in tracking down wanted people at his disposal, as well as other resources from across the Met.
“We’ve confirmed that Kebatu got off the London-bound train at Stratford station.
“We are examining CCTV from that area and further afield, including on the transport network, to establish information about his subsequent movements.
“We will provide further updates when we can, but I hope the press and the public will understand why it would be unhelpful to the effectiveness of the manhunt if we were to provide a detailed running commentary.
“Anyone who sees Kebatu, or has information about his whereabouts, should call 999 immediately.”
Breaking: Met Police take over manhunt for Kebatu
12:48 , Holly BancroftThe Metropolitan Police has taken over the manhunt for Hadush Kebatu who was released in error from HMP Chelmsford yesterday morning.
Met officers have been supporting the Essex Police-led operation to locate Kebatu since it was confirmed that he boarded a London-bound train from Chelmsford Station at 12:41hrs on Friday.
Extensive enquiries have been carried out in the hours since and based on those enquiries, there is a high degree of confidence that Kebatu is likely still in the London area.
As a result, responsibility for the manhunt was transferred from Essex Police to the Met shortly after 11:30hrs today.
Epping Forest councillor calls for full and transparent investigation into Kebatu release
12:45 , Bryony GoochCouncillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council has responded to the extraordinary news following the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu.
Councillor Whitbread said: “I am shocked and appalled by the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu. Frankly, I am at a loss to understand how such a grave error could occur.
“My thoughts are with the victim and her family at this deeply distressing time. They have shown immense courage, and they deserve our full support and protection.
“This is a serious failure of the justice system, and people will rightly be outraged. It is completely unacceptable. The public has a right to expect that those convicted of serious crimes remain securely in custody. Public safety must never be compromised.
“I sincerely hope Kebatu is located and returned to prison without delay. There must also be a full and transparent investigation into how this happened, and what safeguards will be put in place to ensure it never happens again.”
A timeline of events since Hadush Kebatu arrived to the UK:
12:30 , Bryony GoochJune 29: Kebatu arrives in the UK on a small boat having travelled through Sudan, Libya, Italy and France. He paid 2,500 euros (£2,155) to cross the Channel in a “rubber dinghy”.
July 7: The 38-year-old makes sexually explicit comments to a 14-year-old girl who offered him some pizza in Epping, Essex, before trying to kiss her.
July 8: Kebatu sexually assaults a woman and also tries to kiss her. He then encounters the girl from the previous day and again tries to kiss her before sexually assaulting her.
The woman sees Kebatu with the girl and calls 999. He is arrested and charged overnight.
July 10: Kebatu appears at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court for the first time where he denies charges of sexual assault.
July 13: The first of multiple anti-immigration demonstrations are held outside the Bell Hotel in Epping where Kebatu is housed with other asylum seekers.
August 19: Epping Forest District Council is granted a temporary High Court injunction blocking the accommodation of asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel.
August 26: The trial of Kebatu commences at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court
August 27: Kebatu tells his trial that he was a sports teacher in his home country, and denies the offences, saying: “I’m not a wild animal.”
August 29: The temporary injunction on the Bell Hotel, operated by Somani Hotels, is overturned at the Court of Appeal, which rules “that the closure of one site means capacity needs to be identified elsewhere in the system”.
September 4: Kebatu is 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.
September 23: Kebatu is sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years, as well as being made the subject of a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He is also told that he faces deportation.
October 24: Kebatu is accidentally released from HMP Chelmsford instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported. He is seen catching a London-bound train from Chelmsford station.
October 25: Essex Police says officers are working with the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police as Kebatu is believed to be in the London area.
Father of 14-year-old girl assaulted by Kebatu says 'the justice system has let us down'
12:19 , Holly BancroftThe father of the 14-year-old who was sexually assaulted by Ethiopian failed asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu has said that “the justice system has let us down”, according to media reports.
The father turned up at HMP Chelmsford on Friday night and said he was “frustrated” at the thought of the Ethiopian national being back on the streets, according to Sky News.
He reportedly told the broadcaster: “The justice system has let us down”.
Kebatu was released from prison in error after being jailed for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl. He has now been spotted “in the London area”, Essex police said.
What we know about migrant accidentally freed from prison
12:15 , Bryony GoochWhat we know about Epping hotel migrant who was mistakenly freed from prison
Epping hotel migrant accidentally freed from prison is ‘at large in London’, warns Lammy
12:00 , Bryony GoochEpping hotel migrant accidentally freed from prison boarded train to London
Watch: Video appears to show mistakenly released hotel asylum seeker in Chelmsford
11:45 , Bryony GoochEpping Forest MP says buck has to stop with Starmer
11:30 , Bryony GoochEpping Forest MP Neil Hudson told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “This sounds like an operational error, but the buck has to stop somewhere, and it has to stop at the top, at the Justice Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister.
“They have said that they are livid and appalled. Well, quite right, they should be livid and appalled. But that’s that’s not good enough, and the Labour Government needs to get a grip of this issue.
“They need to apprehend this man, but they’ve got to sort this issue out, and that’s what my constituents, who are deeply distressed and upset are saying.”
Essex Police said Kebatu was seen to catch 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, according to Trainline data.
It is understood Kebatu was accidentally freed on Friday morning at HMP Chelmsford.
Watch: David Lammy 'livid’ that Hadush Kebatu ‘is at large’ as manhunt launched after accidental prison release
11:00 , Bryony GoochRecap: Farage says 'Britain is broken' as search for Kebatu continues
10:45 , Bryony GoochReform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “The Epping hotel migrant sex attacker has been accidentally freed rather than deported. He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is broken.”
Recap: Kebatu release was 'staggering incompetence'
10:30 , Bryony GoochShadow home secretary Chris Philp said that Hadush Kebatu’s release was “staggering incompetence”.
He told Channel 4 News: “There is only one group of people to blame for this, and that is the Labour government.
“They’ve let out a dangerous sex offender who preyed on a 14-year-old girl just eight days after entering the country illegally, and now they’ve let him out.”
Kebatu last seen in London: Read the full statement from Essex Police
10:15 , Bryony GoochConvicted sex offender Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu has been seen in the London area, Essex Police said as a manhunt for the asylum seeker continues.
“Inquiries are continuing at pace this morning to locate and arrest a man following a Prison Service releasing error yesterday,” the force said in a statement on Saturday morning.
“Officers from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are working together in this fast-moving and complex investigation.
“Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage, and this work continues today.
“Our inquiries show that he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus.
“We would urge anyone who sees him, knows where he is or has any information to call 999 immediately.
“We would like to thank the public for their support and the information they have already shared.
“It is not lost on us that this situation is concerning to people, and we are committed to locating and arresting him as quickly as possible.”
Recap: Inside Hadush Kebatu's court case
10:00 , Bryony GoochSentencing Hadush 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 'last seen in London' according to Essex Police
09:53 , Bryony GoochEssex Police says the asylum seeker who was accidentally freed at HMP Chelmsford yesterday was last seen in London.
The force said that enquiries are "continuing at pace this morning".
"Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage, and this work continues today," Essex Police said.
"Our enquires show that he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus."
The force has encouraged anyone who sees him or knows where he is to call 999 immediately.
HMP Chelmsford faces 'considerable pressures' because of 'national capacity issues'
09:45 , Bryony GoochA report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons following an inspection in January and February 2024 said that HMP Chelmsford faced “considerable pressures” because of “national capacity issues” while suffering staff shortfalls in reception and the pre-release team.
It stated: “Leaders had faced considerable pressures over the past year because of national capacity issues.
“The remand and unsentenced population had risen to almost 70 per cent and the prison was now managing more admissions, transfers and immediate releases without additional resource.”
The report added: “The turnover of arrivals and releases was high and had increased by about a third in 2023 when compared with 2022.”
128 per cent increase in prisoners released in error
09:33 , Bryony GoochIn the 12 months leading up to March this year, 262 prisoners were released in error in England and Wales, according to the prison service’s annual digest.
“This is a 128 per cent increase from 115 the previous year, and the highest in the time series,” the report said.
“Of the 262 releases in error, 233 of these releases in error occurred from prison establishments, while 29 were released in error at the courts.”
Chelmsford MP calls for rapid public inquiry
09:24 , Bryony GoochChelmsford’s Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman called for a rapid public inquiry into the release, adding that the problem was “far bigger than a member of staff”.
She said: “How could it possibly just be the responsibility of one single member of staff to decide whether to release or not a prisoner, or how to release a prisoner.
“So, I think there’s huge questions to be answered about this.”
Ms Goldman also told PA she had been “frustrated” by a lack of communication from HMP Chelmsford’s governor, Mark Howard, and said she was “struggling” not to call for him to resign.
Pictured: Hadush Kebatu's mugshot
09:20 , Bryony Gooch
Prison officer taken off duty to discharge prisoners while investigation under way
09:16 , Bryony GoochA prison officer has been taken off duties to discharge prisoners while an investigation is under way.
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.”
Aaron Stow, the president of the Criminal Justice Workers’ Union (CJWU), said Kebatu’s mistaken release is “a profound failure of duty”.
He said: “The release of Hadush Kebatu is a betrayal of the victims, the community, and the principles of justice. We demand a full investigation and immediate reforms to ensure this never happens again.”
Starmer calls Kebatu release 'unacceptable'
09:13 , Bryony GoochSir 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.”
Mapped: The train journey Hadush Kebatu is believed to have taken on Friday
09:10 , Bryony GoochWhat we know about Epping hotel migrant who was mistakenly freed from prison
09:08 , Bryony GoochWhat we know about Epping hotel migrant who was mistakenly freed from prison
Watch: David Lammy 'livid’ that Hadush Kebatu ‘is at large’ as manhunt launched
09:02 , Bryony GoochWhat was Kebatu convicted of?
08:59 , Bryony GoochKebatu was found guilty of five offences following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates’ courts in September.
He 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.
Kebatu was jailed for 12 months and made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order, with a judge warning he posed a “significant risk of reoffending”.
He was also added to the UK sex offenders’ register for 10 years, which means he is supposed to be subject to strict monitoring.
Tory MP claims Starmer and Lammy should take responsibility for Kebatu blunder
08:52 , Bryony GoochPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Justice Secretary David Lammy should take responsibility for the blunder which led Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu be accidentally released from prison, Epping Forest’s Tory MP said.
Ethiopian asylum seeker Kebatu, 38, was jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, a crime which triggered protests at the Bell Hotel in Epping where he had been staying.
Epping Forest MP Neil Hudson told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “This sounds like an operational error, but the buck has to stop somewhere, and it has to stop at the top, at the Justice Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister.
“They have said that they are livid and appalled. Well, quite right, they should be livid and appalled. But that’s that’s not good enough, and the Labour Government needs to get a grip of this issue.
“They need to apprehend this man, but they’ve got to sort this issue out, and that’s what my constituents, who are deeply distressed and upset are saying.”
How was he freed from prison?
08:50 , Bryony GoochKebatu 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.
An officer at the prison has been removed from duty while officials investigate the error, The Independent understands.
Videos circulated online appeared to show a man resembling Kebatu in Chelmsford town centre shortly after his release, wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a plastic bag.
Essex Police said he boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford railway station at 12.41pm following the error.
The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 13.18pm, according to Trainline data.
Three police forces working on joint operation to find Kebatu
08:49 , Bryony GoochEssex Police, British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police are all searching for Hadush Kebatu, who was accidentally released from prison.
Essex Police said they were informed by the prison service at 12.57pm of the error and have launched an investigation.
The force said enquiries have shown that Kebatu “boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford railway station at 12.41pm”.
Kebatu still at large as manhunt continues
08:47 , Bryony GoochHadush Kebatu, the migrant who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl while staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, remains at large after he was accidentally released from prison.
We will keep you updated with the latest lines as this develops.
