"Unbelievably Irresponsible": Father Slams Mistaken Release of Sex Offender, Calls for Immediate Deportation

Strategic Insights -

A father whose teenage daughter was sexually assaulted by a migrant has expressed outrage and concern over the mistaken release of her attacker from prison, citing "so much stress and anxiety" for his traumatized child. Hadush Kebatu, who was jailed for a year in September, was freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre. The family feels "massively let down and infuriated" by the prison, police, justice system, and Government, with the father fearing that Kebatu will hurt someone else if not deported immediately.

Key Takeaways:

  • The victim's father expressed concerns about his daughter's mental health and wellbeing due to the assault and the mistaken release of the attacker.
  • The father criticized the prison, police, justice system, and Government for their handling of the situation, calling it "unbelievably irresponsible".
  • The family feels "massively let down and infuriated" by the entire system, including the prison, police, justice system, and Government.
  • The father hopes that Kebatu will be deported "immediately" to prevent any further harm.
  • Over 1,500 more crimes were solved in Essex Police's ongoing efforts to focus on victims.

Statistics:

  • Hadush Kebatu was jailed for a year in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
  • The victim's father said his daughter had been slowly regaining her confidence after the assault, but was now experiencing stress and anxiety due to the mistaken release of the attacker.
  • The father expressed concern that Kebatu would hurt someone else if not deported immediately.
  • Over 95 people are currently housed at the Bell Hotel, which is at the centre of an ongoing High Court battle over asylum seekers.
  • The Bell Hotel formerly housed asylum seekers from May 2020 to March 2021, and again from October 2022 to April 2024.

Sources:

  • Independent councillor for Epping Forest District Council (EFDC), Shane Yerrell
  • The father of the 14-year-old victim (name not provided)
  • David Lammy, Justice Secretary
  • The Ministry of Justice
  • BBC News (Barristers for the Home Office)
  • Court of Appeal
  • Epping Forest Guardian