A migrant convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl is now in London after being mistakenly released from prison, Essex Police said today. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, was freed from HMP Chelmsford at around 11am on Friday due to an administrative error. The asylum seeker, who had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, was sentenced to 12 months in September for the assault and two other related offences.
Police were informed of the mistake at 12.57pm and launched a search operation. Enquiries established that Kebatu boarded a 12.41pm Greater Anglia train from Chelmsford station to London Liverpool Street, stopping at Shenfield and Stratford.
An update on Saturday morning confirmed he is now in London. Officers from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are reviewing hours of CCTV footage from overnight and continuing the work.
An Essex Police spokesman said: “Enquiries are continuing at pace to locate and arrest a man following a prison service releasing error on Friday 24 October.
“Officers from Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police are working together in this fast-moving and complex investigation.
“Officers worked throughout the night to track his movements, including scouring hours of CCTV footage, and this work continues today.
“Our enquiries show that he was last seen in the London area, and this is our focus.
“We would urge anyone who sees him, knows where he is or has any information to call 999 immediately.
“We would like to thank the public for their support and the information they have already shared.
“It is not lost on us that this situation is concerning to people, and we are committed to locating and arresting him as quickly as possible.”
Police are urging anyone who sees Kebatu, knows where he is or has any information to call 999 immediately. Callers should quote incident number 0474 of 24 October.
The Prison Service has begun an investigation into the error. One officer responsible for prisoner discharges has been removed from duties pending the outcome. A spokesman said: “We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford. Public protection is our top priority.”
Kebatu arrived in the UK by small boat days before committing the offences in July. At Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Christopher Williams said his behaviour showed “the poor regard you must have for women”.
The court heard he approached two 14-year-old girls in school uniforms, telling them he wanted “to have a baby with each of them”, before touching one girl’s thigh and stroking her hair. He was also convicted of assaulting a woman by placing a hand on her leg and trying to kiss her.
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