A man who had been imprisoned for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl was mistakenly released from jail and was last seen boarding a train heading to London.
The individual, identified as Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national residing at the Bell Hotel in Epping, was sentenced to 12 months in September. Essex Police reported that he was observed getting on a train bound for London.
Authorities have initiated a manhunt to locate the escaped prisoner. Reports indicate that he was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention center for deportation but was erroneously set free. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy expressed shock at the blunder and stated that efforts are underway to apprehend Kebatu and conduct a thorough investigation to rectify the error.
It has been disclosed that Kebatu was mistakenly released on Friday morning from HMP Chelmsford. As part of the ongoing inquiry, a prison officer has been relieved of duties related to releasing prisoners. The Prison Service confirmed collaboration with law enforcement to bring the offender back into custody.
During his trial, it was revealed that the asylum seeker, who had recently arrived in the UK via a small boat, made inappropriate advances towards two teenagers, expressing a desire to have children with them. He proceeded to touch one of the girls inappropriately. Following these incidents, demonstrations took place in Epping, Essex, and at various locations housing asylum seekers nationwide.