Government Releases Convicted Migrant Sex Offender Who Assaulted Teen Girl, Then Recaptures Him After Nationwide Manhunt

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian migrant and asylum seeker, was convicted of multiple sexual offences including assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

“A manhunt is ongoing for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker and convicted child sex offender, who was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford”

London Evening Standard

He was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford only weeks after sentencing, after serving only four weeks of a 12-month sentence.

London Evening Standard

Instead of being transferred to an immigration detention centre for deportation, he was freed in error.

The Metropolitan Police led a manhunt after CCTV footage showed him boarding a train to London.

Officials appealed for information regarding his whereabouts.

A prison officer has been suspended pending an investigation into the release.

Senior figures, including Justice Secretary David Lammy and the Prime Minister, condemned the error.

Newly released data highlighted a sharp rise in erroneous prisoner releases.

Authorities described the case as both a public safety failure and a symptom of systemic strain on prisons.

Multiple outlets detail how Kebatu was misclassified and released amid confusion.

Metro.co.uk reports he was wrongly classified as a prisoner eligible for release on licence and was given a discharge grant.

UK News in Pictures

He traveled repeatedly between Chelmsford and London during a joint police search.

The Guardian likewise reports he received a £76 discharge grant and went to London.

The Independent says he appeared confused and repeatedly returned to the prison seeking guidance before being advised to travel.

However, Liverpool Echo reports he moved around London despite not receiving a discharge grant, highlighting contradictions in subsistence details.

South China Morning Post adds he was freed due to a classification error, with three police forces reviewing CCTV.

Political and institutional backlash was immediate.

“A Prison Service officer has been suspended following the accidental release of a migrant sex attacker from HMP Chelmsford, prompting an urgent investigation”

GB News

ITVX reports senior leaders condemned the incident and that an officer was suspended while MPs demanded a formal inquiry.

V2 Radio quotes Justice Secretary David Lammy calling the release “totally unacceptable” and announcing an independent inquiry with a parliamentary statement.

Essex Live highlights cross-party calls for urgent action and reforms.

GB News amplifies populist criticism with Nigel Farage calling the situation “broken Britain.”

Separately, The i Paper reports Kebatu was re-arrested and is expected to be deported this week, underscoring swift next steps alongside calls for accountability.

Accounts of the manhunt and recapture vary by outlet and timing.

Manx Radio Motorsport says he was arrested in Finsbury Park after being at large for just under 48 hours.

The Sun

DW reports he was rearrested following a nearly three-day manhunt.

Epping Forest Guardian states police re-arrested him after public tip-offs.

Earlier-stage reports from BBC and UK News in Pictures focused on appeals to surrender and sightings in north London in prison-issue clothing.

Together, these accounts suggest a fast-moving search with discrepancies in elapsed time reporting and evolving official messaging.

The broader context underscores both systemic strain and community anger.

“It looks like you mentioned a news article about authorities investigating a mistaken release and increasing security measures, but I don’t have the full text”

mezha.net

The Guardian and Irish Examiner quantify a surge in erroneous releases—262 cases, a 128% year-over-year rise.

The Independent

BBC cites an independent investigation and expert commentary that the mistake reflects “systemic failures,” not just one person’s error.

Sky News reports the victim’s family’s strong frustration with the justice system.

South China Morning Post references anti-migrant protests triggered by Kebatu’s earlier arrest.

ABC News situates the episode within wider migration pressures, noting record Channel crossings and a serious failure involving a migrant who wasn’t deported and remained free.

This situation mirrors concerns raised in this case.