A convicted sex offender mistakenly released from a UK prison has been re-arrested and deported to Ethiopia, prompting an official inquiry.
The UK government has deported Hadush Kebatu, a migrant sex offender who was mistakenly freed from prison due to what officials described as a “technical error”. Kebatu, who assaulted a teenager in Epping, was re-arrested within 48 hours of his release and flown to Ethiopia, the Home Office confirmed.
Justice Secretary David Lammy told the House of Commons that an independent investigation has been launched to “fully establish the facts” surrounding the error at HMP Chelmsford. He said the inquiry would determine whether the staff involved had “sufficient experience, training and technology” to prevent such incidents.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick labelled the case a “national embarrassment”. Lammy said Kebatu’s deportation would proceed “as quickly as possible”, while a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier suggested it would occur within days.
Prison blunder triggers official inquiry
Kebatu, who arrived in the UK on a small boat, had been living in an asylum hotel in Epping, Essex, when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman in July. He was sentenced last month and was awaiting deportation when he was mistakenly released from custody on Friday.
The error prompted a nationwide manhunt that ended with his capture in north London on Sunday. His release and subsequent re-arrest triggered protests in Epping, which later spread to hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.-
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