A migrant who sexually assaulted a woman and a 14-year-old girl while he was living at a hotel in Epping – sparking major protests – has been freed from prison early by mistake.
Hadush Kebatu was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported but was mistakenly released, according to reports in The Sun.
A major police manhunt is now said to be underway to bring him back in custody.
Justice secretary David Lammy is understood to be “furious” and is working with police to find the criminal.
An officer at the prison has been removed from duty while officials investigate the error, The Independent understands.
In September Kebatu was jailed for 12 months and made the subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order, with a judge warning he posed a “significant risk of reoffending”.
He was also added to the UK sex offenders’ register for ten years, which means he is supposed to be subject to strict monitoring.
A three-day trial at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard the 41-year-old told two teenagers he wanted to “have a baby with each of them” and attempted to kiss them.
He then went on to put his hand on one of the girls’ thighs and stroke her hair, the court heard.
The Ethiopian national, who had arrived in Britain on a small boat days earlier, was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg, and telling her she was pretty.
The incidents on 7 July sparked major protests and counterprotests outside The Bell Hotel, where he was staying, and eventually at hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford.
“Public protection is our top priority and we have launched an investigation into this incident.”
More follows on this breaking news story…
