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Migrant Recaptured After Being Released from Prison in Error, Sparks Investigation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A major manhunt was underway after the migrant, Hadush Kebatu, was released from HMP Chelmsford in error on Friday. He was recaptured by Metropolitan Police officers in Finsbury Park, north London, yesterday morning, 16 minutes after being spotted at a bus stop by a member of the public. The incident has sparked widespread criticism and calls for a rapid national inquiry. A prison officer at Chelmsford has been taken off duties to discharge prisoners while an investigation takes place.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hadush Kebatu, a 41-year-old migrant, was released from HMP Chelmsford in error on Friday, despite being sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for five sexual offences.
  • Kebatu was recaptured by Metropolitan Police officers in Finsbury Park, north London, yesterday morning, 16 minutes after being spotted at a bus stop by a member of the public.
  • The incident has sparked widespread criticism and calls for a rapid national inquiry, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp saying the "inept Labour government" let him out in the first place.
  • Kebatu's crimes included attempting to kiss two teenagers, putting one girl's hand on her thigh, and telling them he wanted to "have a baby with each of them".
  • A three-day trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard that Kebatu also added the victim's daughter to the sex offender register for 10 years.
  • The victim's father has spoken out about the impact of Kebatu's release on his daughter's mental health and wellbeing, and has called for a rapid national inquiry into the incident.
  • Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said Kebatu will be deported "as quickly as possible", while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said an investigation will be taken to establish what went wrong.

Statistics:

  • 41 (age of Hadush Kebatu)
  • 12 months (length of Kebatu's prison sentence)
  • 5 (number of sexual offences Kebatu was sentenced for)
  • 3 (number of days Kebatu's trial took place)
  • 10 years (length of time Kebatu was added to the sex offender register)
  • 1983 (date of birth on Essex Police records)
  • 1986 (date of birth given by Kebatu as a translator)
  • 16 minutes (time it took for Kebatu to be arrested after being spotted at a bus stop)
  • 12.41pm (time Kebatu boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford)
  • 6pm (time Kebatu was spotted on CCTV inside a library in Dalston Square, east London)
  • 8.03am (time Kebatu was spotted at a bus stop by a member of the public)

Sources:

  • The Daily Telegraph
  • The Guardian
  • BBC News
  • The Sun
  • PA News Agency
  • Essex Police
  • Metropolitan Police
  • HMP Chelmsford
  • Twitter (Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer)
  • Twitter (Justice Secretary David Lammy)
  • Twitter (Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood)
  • BBC Radio 4 (The Today Programme)

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