Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian national convicted of sexual assault, was rearrested on Sunday after being accidentally released from prison. The mistaken release, which occurred instead of his transfer to immigration detention, has caused significant embarrassment for the government and the Prison Service.
Kebatu was convicted for a sexual assault in Epping Forest, a large woodland area in Essex. Details of the assault have not been disclosed, but the offence led to a prison sentence. Following his conviction, he was due to be handed over to immigration authorities for deportation proceedings.
The error in his release was discovered shortly after he left custody, prompting a swift search operation. Police recaptured him without incident, and he is now back in prison. The Home Office has launched an investigation into how the mistake occurred.
This case has reignited debates about border control and the handling of foreign offenders in the UK justice system. Officials have stressed that procedures are being reviewed to prevent similar errors in the future.
