Manhunt Underway for Asylum Seeker Released in Error from Prison

Strategic Insights -

A high-profile asylum seeker, Hadush Kebatu, has been mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning, prompting a swift manhunt led by the Metropolitan Police. The 38-year-old Ethiopian national was living at the Bell Hotel in Epping when he sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl in July. Kebatu was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported after he was jailed for 12 months in September. Instead, he was released in error, sparking a storm of criticism from politicians and prompting a fast-paced investigation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hadush Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national, was released in error from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning after being jailed for 12 months in September for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl.
  • Kebatu was living at the Bell Hotel in Epping when the assaults occurred in July and was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre for deportation.
  • The Metropolitan Police have taken over the manhunt, working closely with Essex Police and British Transport Police, following the release of Kebatu.
  • Enquiries have confirmed that Kebatu boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford Railway Station at 12:41pm on Friday, and officers are focusing their efforts on the London area.
  • The Prime Minister's plan to release illegal foreign nationals from prison was criticized by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who said, "Britain is broken."
  • Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stated that the release of Kebatu was due to the "entire system collapsing under Labour" and the government is working to support officers.
  • Labour leader Kier Starmer described the release as "totally unacceptable" and urged for Kebatu's arrest and deportation.
  • Nathaniel Nakio, chairman of Epping Forest YCL (Youth Communist League), called for peaceful protests to demand justice for the victims.
  • Essex Police are appealing for the public's help in locating Kebatu, urging anyone with information to call 999 immediately and quote 0474 of October 24.

Statistics:

  • 38: the age of Hadush Kebatu, the released asylum seeker.
  • 12 months: the jail term for Kebatu.
  • 5: the number of offences Kebatu was convicted for.
  • 14: the age of the girl Kebatu assaulted.
  • 3: the number of days for Kebatu's trial.
  • 1 month: the amount of time since Kebatu's jail sentence began before he was released in error.

Sources:

  • [Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel)](https://twitter.com/pritipatel)
  • [Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch)](https://twitter.com/KemiBadenoch)
  • [Kier Starmer (@KierStarmer)](https://twitter.com/KierStarmer)
  • [Essex Police](https://www.essex.police.uk/)
  • [Metropolitan Police](https://www.met.police.uk/)