A police manhunt is underway after the hotel migrant who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping was mistakenly released from prison.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, was supposed to be moved from HMP Chelmsford to an immigration detention centre today to be deported but was instead accidentally let loose.
Police officers have now launched a major search to locate him.
The blunder comes amid backlash at efforts to tackle illegal migration after Sir Keir Starmer‘s ‘one in, one out’ policy was accused of being in tatters this week.
It came after a migrant who was previously deported under the scheme reappeared on UK shores this week having again crossed the Channel in a small boat.
The Home Secretary David Lammy is said to be ‘furious’ at the latest error, which saw Kebatu walk free.
A senior justice source told the Sun: ‘He has been released in error – this is the mother of all f**k ups.
‘It is down to human error, with the wrong paperwork on it or something. David Lammy is aware – and is furious.’
Hadush Kebatu, 41, was supposed to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported but was instead accidentally let loose
Ethiopian national Kebatu (pictured) tried to kiss a schoolgirl before groping a woman who came to her aid in a series of offences which took place in July
Mr Kebatu is pictured in a court sketch from August 26 before his conviction – he was sentenced to 12 months in prison
Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in prison last month for sexually assaulting the schoolgirl and a woman who attempted to intervene.
The Ethiopian national acted ‘ignorantly and repulsively’ when he sexually assaulted the schoolgirl and another woman just days after arriving in the country on a small boat, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard.
Kebatu became aroused as he put his hand on the girl’s thighs and stroked her hair despite knowing ‘full well she was only 14’.
The defendant, who was a ‘teacher of sports’ in his home country, then tried to kiss a woman who attempted to intervene, before putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty.
Kebatu denied three counts of sexual assault, one of attempted sexual assault, a charge of harassment and another of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, but was convicted on all charges at trial.
The offences took place on July 7 and 8 this year.
Kebatu’s arrest sparked a wave of anti-migrant protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country this summer, including outside the Bell Hotel where he was staying (pictured)
District Judge Christopher Williams said his ‘disgusting and sickening’ behaviour, which sparked a huge anti-migrant demonstration in Epping, Essex, highlighted the ‘poor regard you must have for women’.
Kebatu, who the court heard had tried to take his own life while on remand in prison, showed no emotion as he was told his sentence.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the sex offenders register. He was also told to pay £650 in court costs.
Kebatu’s arrest sparked a wave of anti-migrant protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country this summer.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
