After mistakenly being released from prison, a convicted sex offender, Hadush Kebatu, was apprehended in London. Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian national, had been sentenced to 12 months for assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Essex. Despite being due for deportation, he was erroneously freed from HMP Chelmsford, prompting a widespread manhunt in the region. Kebatu was residing at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, at the time of his offenses.
Scotland Yard reported Kebatu’s arrest in the Finsbury Park area around 8:30 am. Clad in a black puffa jacket and jeans, he was escorted by plain-clothed officers to a police vehicle with his head covered. Justice Secretary David Lammy confirmed Kebatu’s imminent deportation, praising the swift efforts of the Met, Essex, and British Transport Police and ordering enhanced release checks and a thorough investigation into the mishap.
Both Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reiterated Kebatu’s impending deportation following his recapture, emphasizing the need to prevent similar incidents. During his sentencing, Kebatu was deemed a high risk for reoffending, leading to the imposition of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) prohibiting contact with females.
The Metropolitan Police assumed control of the case after Essex Police indicated a strong likelihood of Kebatu’s presence in London. Following sightings at various locations, including a library in Dalston, additional officers were deployed to aid in his capture. Metropolitan Police Commander James Conway praised the public’s support in locating Kebatu, attributing the successful operation to collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies.