Wrongly Released Sex Offender Recaptured in London

Administrative Error Leads to Dangerous Prisoner's Release

British authorities have successfully recaptured a convicted sex offender who was accidentally released from prison in what has been described as a 'profound failure of duty' within the UK's justice system. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker, was arrested on Sunday morning in Finsbury Park, North London, following a three-day manhunt that involved multiple police forces and public assistance.

The Mistaken Release

The incident began on Friday when Kebatu, who had been serving a 12-month sentence at HMP Chelmsford for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention center for deportation proceedings. Instead, due to what authorities have called 'human error', he was mistakenly released onto the streets of Chelmsford, Essex.

According to eyewitness accounts, Kebatu appeared confused and was seen returning to the prison multiple times before eventually boarding a train to London while still wearing his grey prison-issued tracksuit. The error was only discovered when prison authorities realized he had been improperly categorized for release and had even been given a £76 discharge grant.

Nationwide Manhunt

The Metropolitan Police, Essex Police, and British Transport Police launched an immediate search operation after the mistake was identified. CCTV footage showed Kebatu traveling from Chelmsford to Stratford in East London, and he was later spotted in the Dalston area still wearing his distinctive prison clothing.

'I am the public extremely grateful for their help,' said the police officer leading the investigation. 'This was a serious breach of public safety protocols, and we worked around the clock to locate this individual.'

Background of the Case

Kebatu's original conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred just eight days after he arrived in the UK by small boat in July 2025. He was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl and a woman who had tried to help him with his CV at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where he was being housed as an asylum seeker.

During sentencing in September, the judge described Kebatu's behavior as 'disgusting and sickening' and noted he posed a 'significant risk of reoffending.' The Home Office had already initiated deportation proceedings, with Kebatu's lawyer stating his client's 'firm wish is to be deported as soon as possible.'

Systemic Concerns

This incident has raised serious questions about the coordination between the UK's prison system and immigration authorities. The prison officer responsible for the mistaken release has been removed from duties pending investigation, according to sources within the Ministry of Justice.

A spokesperson for the Prison Service stated: 'We take any breach of security extremely seriously. An urgent investigation is underway to determine how this occurred and to prevent similar incidents in the future.'

The case has also highlighted ongoing concerns about the management of foreign national offenders within the UK's justice system. According to recent Home Office statistics, there were approximately 10,000 foreign national offenders in UK prisons as of 2024, with many facing deportation after serving their sentences.

Public Reaction and Safety Measures

The incident has sparked both protests and counter-protests across Essex, with local residents expressing concerns about public safety and the handling of asylum seekers with criminal backgrounds. Community leaders have called for improved vetting procedures and better coordination between different government agencies.

Kebatu has now been returned to prison authorities and will face immediate deportation proceedings once his sentence is completed. The Ministry of Justice has announced a review of prisoner release procedures, particularly for foreign national offenders subject to deportation orders.

For more information on UK prison procedures, visit the HM Prison Service website.