What we know about Epping hotel migrant who was mistakenly freed from prison
Police are conducting a manhunt for an asylum seeker who was mistakenly released from prison on Friday.
Earlier this year large demonstrations were seen outside the Bell Hotel in Epping after Hadush Kebatu, who was staying there, sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl.
He was supposed to be sent to an immigration detention center for deportation but was mistakenly released on Friday.
Justice Minister David Lammy said he was “outraged on behalf of the public” as he called on Kebatu to surrender and said he was launching an investigation into “what happened within the prison service to allow this to happen”.
Sir Keir Starmer said it was “completely unacceptable” that he was released by mistake and the government supported police trying to catch him.
Here’s what we know and don’t know about Hadush Kebatu.
How was he released from prison?
Kebatu was supposed to be sent to an immigration detention center for deportation but was mistakenly released. Because he was released on licence, he was wrongly classified as a prisoner and was given a £76 release allowance. Telegram reported.
An officer at the prison was dismissed while authorities investigated the error. Independent he understands.
Videos circulating online showed a man resembling Kebatu, wearing a gray tracksuit and carrying a plastic bag, in Chelmsford town center shortly after his release.
After the mistake, he boarded the train to London from Chelmsford railway station at 12.41am, Essex Police said..
The Greater Anglia train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 1.18pm, according to Trainline data.
What was he convicted of?
Kebatu was found guilty of five offenses following a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester magistrates’ courts in September.
His trial was told he told two young people he wanted to “have a baby with each of them” and tried to kiss them, then put his hand on one of the girls’ hips and caressed her hair.
It was also revealed that he sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, placing his hand on her leg and telling her she was beautiful.
Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in prison and made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order, with the judge warning he posed a “significant risk of re-offending”.
He was also placed on the UK sex offenders register for 10 years, meaning he must be subject to strict monitoring.
What did the government say?
Sir Keir Starmer said the accidental release was “completely unacceptable”.
The Prime Minister said: “I am appalled that this has happened and is being investigated. The police are working urgently to find him and my government is supporting them.”
“This man should be caught and deported for his crimes.”
Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lammy said he was “outraged on behalf of the public” and called on Kebatu to surrender and told anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 999.
He added: “I spoke to the interior minister today. To make this happen, I launched an investigation into what happened in the prison.
“But what’s important is that we protect the public. What’s important is that the police can do their job and find this person.”
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said Kebatu’s release was “staggering incompetence”.
He told Channel 4 News: “There’s only one group of people to blame for this and that’s the Labor government.
“They released a dangerous sex offender who attacked a 14-year-old girl just eight days after entering the country illegally, and now they’ve released him.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Immigrant sex attacker at Epping hotel accidentally released rather than deported. He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is devastated.”
