Police searching for a convicted sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison have urged him to surrender. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian national and former asylum seeker, was jailed for 12 months in September for sexually assaulting a woman and a 14-year-old girl. He was also subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Kebatu was freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday wearing a prison-issued grey tracksuit and carrying a plastic bag. He was meant to be transferred to an immigration detention centre for deportation but was released due to human error, according to Prison Service sources. The prison officer who authorised the release has been removed from duties pending an investigation.
Commander James Conway of the Metropolitan Police made a direct appeal to Kebatu, saying: 'We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way. The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station.' Conway added that Kebatu had indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia.
Police believe Kebatu has made several train journeys across London since his release. He was last seen shortly before 8pm on Friday in the Dalston area of Hackney, now carrying his belongings in a distinctive white bag with pictures of avocados. Additional officers have been deployed to search the area.
A delivery driver reported seeing Kebatu return to HMP Chelmsford 'four or five times' in a confused state, only to be turned away by prison staff. The driver said Kebatu knew he should be deported but was unsure where to go. Kebatu was later seen catching a train from Chelmsford to Stratford, east London, at around 1.10pm on Friday.
The Metropolitan Police have taken over the investigation from Essex Police. Conway described the manhunt as a 'top priority', with teams examining CCTV footage from Stratford and the transport network. Anyone who sees Kebatu is urged to call 999 immediately.
