A sex offender, previously released in error from HMP Chelmsford and later found in London, has been deported to Ethiopia. Hadush Kebatu, 38, served a 12-month jail term for assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Essex. Despite initial plans for deportation, he triggered a search in the southeast after leaving the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, where the crimes occurred.
Kebatu was apprehended in Finsbury Park on Sunday at 8:30 am by plain-clothed officers. He was seen being taken into custody near a bus stop, wearing a black jacket and jeans with a hood over his head. The offender, who entered the UK by boat in June, left prison with personal funds but without a discharge grant.
Reports suggest Kebatu returned to HMP Chelmsford multiple times in a confused state before being redirected to the railway station. An investigation is ongoing regarding the handling of his release. Following a brief escape, he was arrested within 48 hours, prompting concerns about the release error.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed satisfaction in successfully deporting Kebatu, emphasizing the improved safety of the community. This development comes after rigorous efforts to ensure his removal from the country.
