London (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian sex offender mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford, has been re-arrested and returned to prison after moving across London.
As reported by The Guardian, police have confirmed that a former asylum seeker and convicted sex offender, wrongly released from prison, has been tracked down and returned to custody.
Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in September for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl, and was also given a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Authorities confirmed he was re-arrested in Finsbury Park, north London, at around 8:30 am on Sunday.
What did James Conway say about Kebatu’s capture?
Metropolitan Police commander James Conway, who led the operation to locate Kebatu, stated,
“This has been a diligent and fast-paced investigation led by specialist officers from the Metropolitan police, supported by Essex police and the British Transport Police.”
He said,
“Information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park and, following a search, they located Mr Kebatu. He was detained by police but will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service.”
Mr Conway added,
“I am extremely grateful to the public for their support following our appeal, which assisted in locating Mr Kebatu.”
The Met Police said Kebatu, dressed in a grey prison tracksuit and carrying his belongings, made several train journeys across London after his release on Friday, 24 October.
Mr Conway appealed to the public to call 999 if they saw Kebatu or knew his location, adding that he
“has access to funds and, critically, in Chelmsford and London, sought help from the public and spoke to station staff.”
What did witnesses reveal about Kebatu’s confusion after release?
Kebatu, 41, was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford despite being scheduled for transfer to an immigration detention centre.
A delivery driver said he saw Kebatu return to the prison several times in confusion, only to be turned away by staff and sent to the railway station.
The driver, identified as Sim, said he saw Kebatu leave the prison, repeatedly asking, “Where am I?” while waiting outside for more than an hour.
He said Kebatu knew he was supposed to be deported, but staff kept turning him away, saying, “You’ve been released, you can go.”
Sim stated,
“He kept scratching his head and saying: ‘Where do I go, where do I go?’ The fourth or fifth time [he went into the reception] he was starting to get upset, he was getting stressed. I’m not sticking up for the guy, but in my eyes, he was trying to do the right thing.”
The driver added,
“He knew he was getting deported, but he didn’t know where he was going or how he should get there.”
What did Essex police uncover about Kebatu’s release blunder?
Kebatu was later seen in Chelmsford town centre asking for assistance before boarding a train to London.
Essex police said Kebatu was spotted boarding a train at Chelmsford station at 12:41 pm on Friday, while Met police confirmed he arrived in Stratford, east London, at 1:10 pm. They stated that officers worked overnight to track Kebatu, reviewing hours of CCTV footage.
The Prison Service said Kebatu’s release from HMP Chelmsford was due to human error, and the officer responsible has been removed pending an urgent investigation.
Sources said Kebatu was mistakenly classified as a prisoner due for release on licence and was issued a £76 discharge grant.
A prison insider called the incident a “disaster waiting to happen,” citing inexperienced staff handling a large number of releases at once.
How did CJWU react to Kebatu being released in error?
Aaron Stowe, the president of the Criminal Justice Workers Union (CJWU), described Kebatu’s wrongful release as “a profound failure of duty.”
He added,
“The release of Hadush Kebatu is a betrayal of the victims, the community, and the principles of justice. We demand a full investigation and immediate reforms to ensure this never happens again.”
Mike Rolfe, the CJWU’s general secretary, continued,
“The justice system is stretched to breaking point, the public’s confidence is collapsing, and those tasked with enforcing the law are left to pick up the pieces of political cowardice.”
What did Sir Keir Starmer say about Kebatu’s arrest and deportation?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said,
“Hadush Kebatu has been arrested and will be deported. Officers have worked quickly and diligently to bring him back into custody.”
He added,
“We have ordered an investigation to establish what went wrong. We must make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
What did Wes Streeting say after Kebatu was recaptured and detained?
Health Secretary Wes Streeting called Kebatu’s capture a “relief” and praised the public for helping police with intelligence.
He said,
“Well, what a relief. I just want to say a massive thank you to members of the public whose vigilance provided the police with vital intelligence that allowed him to be tracked down to [Finsbury] Park where he’s been arrested and detained and will now be deported.”
Mr Streeting said the move will “be transparent and upfront with Parliament and the public” regarding Kebatu’s release.
What did Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats say about Kebatu’s mistaken release?
Zia Yusuf, head of policy for Reform UK, said,
“The state of Britain’s descent into a Monty Python sketch was almost complete.”
He stated,
“This is a man who eyewitnesses said was actively trying to go back into prison after being accidentally let go.”
Mr Yusuf added,
“So, look, glad he’s been apprehended but I mean it’s absolutely shocking and how any victim of sexual assault could look at this Labour government and Jess Phillips in particular, and the whole state apparatus right now, and have any degree of confidence is beyond me.”
Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman urges a swift national inquiry into prison errors.
She said,
“I am relieved that Hadush Kebatu has been found and is back in custody. He must now be deported.”
Ms Goldman added,
“But this doesn’t excuse the serious mistakes that let this happen in the first place. It’s unacceptable that the safety of my constituents, and the people of London, was ever put at risk.”
What did the court say about Kebatu’s risk of reoffending?
Kebatu was sentenced last month for five offences, including sexual assault and attempting to kiss a woman and a 14-year-old girl.
After arriving in the UK on a small boat and staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Kebatu’s case sparked protests that led to 32 arrests.
At trial, Judge Christopher Williams described Kebatu as “manipulative” and a “significant risk of reoffending,” sentencing him to 12 months. He had served just 31 days when released.
How many irregular migrants arrived in the UK by June 2025?
There were 49,341 detected irregular arrivals to the UK in 2025, which is a 27% increase from the previous year. The vast majority of these individuals (88%) arrived via small boats across the English Channel.