An Ethiopian asylum seeker who was jailed for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl was accidentally freed from prison and remains at large in London, sparking a manhunt. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping before receiving a 12-month sentence in September.
The father of the victim said the justice system had failed them. Kebatu was released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning due to an administrative error, having been wrongly categorised as a prisoner due for release on licence and given a £76 discharge grant.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the accidental release as 'totally unacceptable,' adding that an investigation is under way. Justice Secretary David Lammy, who said he was 'livid on behalf of the public,' confirmed Kebatu was seen boarding a London-bound train at Chelmsford station.
Essex Police said the man boarded a Greater Anglia train at 12:41pm, stopping at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street at 1:18pm. The force has been working with the Metropolitan Police to locate him, and a prison officer has been removed from release duties pending an inquiry.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for a public inquiry, saying the release was 'staggering incompetence.' Aaron Stow, president of the Criminal Justice Workers' Union, called it 'a profound failure of duty' and demanded reforms.
