Prison that released sex offender Kebatu had already freed another convict by mistake | UK | News
The Essex prison at the center of the high-profile case over the wrongful release of migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu mistakenly released another prisoner two years ago. The prisoner, jailed at HMP Chelmsford, was 36-year-old Brentwood fraudster Junead Ahmed, who posed as a doctor to defraud the rent of a luxury house out of £2million before plotting her own escape.
The revelation, which emerged during heated debate in the House of Commons, is even more embarrassing for Justice Secretary David Lammy, who yesterday ordered an urgent overhaul of Kebatu’s release protocols following a two-day period during which he was released in east London. An Ethiopian citizen who was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman a few weeks after crossing the Channel on a small boat was scheduled to be deported immediately under the early deportation plan (ERS). Instead, a “human error” freed him on Friday, sparking protests outside asylum hotels and a two-day manhunt that culminated in his arrest in Finsbury Park on Sunday.
Kebatu, 32, who was staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, made inappropriate comments to the teenager before attempting to kiss her on July 7, eight days after he arrived in the UK on June 29. The next day, he assaulted a woman by placing his hand on her leg and complimenting her appearance.
A three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester Magistrates’ Court in September resulted in guilty verdicts on five charges; the sentence heard of his “firm desire” to be deported.
Ahmed, meanwhile, was released in June 2023 after staff accepted a fake email granting him bail from the “Royal Courts of Justice”. While awaiting sentencing for property fraud, he remained at large for two days before Essex Police arrested him at a penthouse in Shenfield.
The ruse, first reported by the Romford Recorder on September 10, 2025, sparked suspicion from authorities after two other prisoners, Adam Mohammed and Charlie Whittaker, became the focus of fake emails promoting their release, amid accusations of an escape plot.
As part of the investigation, after it was determined that the e-mails were fake, an effort was launched to capture Ahmed and those who helped him.
Ahmed’s wife, Nazash Akhtar, 41, and Whittaker’s mother, Charlotte, 49, were later arrested. Police identified the person who created the fake emails and sent them to the court as 20-year-old Aaryan Noor Ali.
Ahmed was found by police hiding in the attic of a house they raided in Shenfield, Essex, 10 miles from the prison. In November 2023, he received four years for his original crimes and additional time for escape.
Ahmed, Charlotte Whittaker, Charlie Whittaker, Akhtar and Noor Ali admitted conspiring to escape lawful custody last month, while Adam Mohammed admitted trying to escape lawful custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Huddleston described it as a “complex operation” that was “quickly resolved” after suspected tracking hoaxes alerted staff.
But critics say it reveals significant flaws: no phone verification and limited checks on “official” documents. Mark Leech, editor of The Prisons Handbook, warned of a “system in crisis” starved of investment.
In the House of Commons yesterday, Mr Lammy faced criticism from the Opposition. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick described Kebatu’s mistake as a “national disgrace”, saying: “The only illegal immigrants this Government has stopped are those who genuinely want to leave the UK.”
He cited the “Calamity Lammy” for failing to deport a man who was “trying to get deported.” Former minister Caroline Johnson asked: “How many prisoners who were wrongly released are still at large?”
Mr Lammy did not respond directly, insisting: “One faulty version is too many”, prompting Mr Jenrick to reply: “Dear oh dear. Where to start?”
Mr Lammy announced former Met deputy commissioner Dame Lynne Owens will chair an independent investigation into the crash, advising victims. Meanwhile, a prison officer has been suspended and an ERS release from Chelmsford will not take place this week.
The new security measures, described as the “strongest yet”, require the on-duty governor to be physically present during the handover, as well as greater accountability for senior staff. An “urgent review” of all controls is ongoing.
