Key Highlights
- Migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from an Essex prison and last seen in Hackney on Friday evening.
- Kebatu is suspected to have made train journeys across London since his release, sparking concerns among local authorities.
- Metropolitan Police issued a statement appealing for the safe return of Kebatu by contacting 999 or reporting to a police station.
- A new independent investigation has been ordered following the accidental release, with new prison procedures set to be implemented shortly.
Escaped Sex Offender Sparking Concerns in London
Hadush Kebatu, a migrant sex offender mistakenly released from an Essex prison on Friday afternoon, has gone missing, leading local authorities and law enforcement agencies to ramp up efforts to locate him. The Metropolitan Police has released CCTV footage showing Kebatu’s last known location in Dalston Square library at around 18:00.
Kebatu was arrested in July for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex. He had previously attempted to kiss a teenage girl on a bench and sexually assaulted her the following day. Additionally, he sexually assaulted another woman who had offered him assistance with drafting a CV.
Prison Release and Release Error
Kebatu was found guilty of five offences, sentenced to 12 months in prison, and given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. His release on Friday was part of an error that occurred due to staff shortages and overwork at the HMP Chelmsford.
According to sources from the BBC, a prison officer from HMP Chelmsford has been suspended following the incident. However, a senior prison staffer emphasized that it was “down to a series of mistakes” rather than one individual’s fault. The Metropolitan Police stated they are pursuing all lines of enquiry into Kebatu’s disappearance.
Independent Investigation and New Procedures
In response to this situation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy has ordered an independent investigation led by candidates chosen for this purpose. Additionally, new procedures will come into effect on Monday, mandating additional checks the evening before a release is due to take place.
Metropolitan Police Commander James Conway urged Kebatu to “turn yourself in” and emphasized that the best outcome for him would be to make contact directly with authorities by calling 999 or reporting himself to a police station. The Met Police has deployed additional officers to locate Kebatu, who was last seen carrying a white bag decorated with pictures of avocados.
Broader Context and Expert Analysis
The case of Hadush Kebatu highlights the broader issues within the UK’s prison system. According to a report from His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, 262 prisoners in England and Wales were released in error between April 2024 and March 2025, up from 115 in the previous year.
Former governor of HMP Brixton, Belmarsh, and Swaleside, John Podmore, criticized the prison system’s failure, stating that “this is what happens in a broken system” and expressing hope that lower-level officials are not unfairly blamed. The incident has sparked strong reactions from political figures such as Kemi Badenoch of the Conservative Party and Nigel Farage of Reform UK.
The release of Kebatu also raises questions about the effectiveness of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which was made against him in September on grounds that he posed a risk to female adults and children.
Despite his firm wish for deportation, the legal framework mandates his return if a deportation order is issued under the UK Borders Act 2007.
Local authorities have expressed concerns about Kebatu’s potential danger to the community, with Essex Police stating that they are committed to locating and arresting him as quickly as possible. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing the complexities of migration and criminal justice systems.
