A convicted sex offender who was supposed to be handed over to immigration authorities for deportation was mistakenly released from prison, triggering a national outcry and an urgent government investigation.
The offender, identified as Hadush Kebatu, had been convicted in September of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping. Instead of being transferred to immigration custody after serving his sentence at HMP Chelmsford in Essex, he was erroneously set free on Friday.
Authorities launched a manhunt that ended when police located and arrested him in the Finsbury Park area of London on Sunday morning, October 26, 2025. The incident has raised serious questions about administrative failures and the state of the prison system.
Government officials confirmed that the release was a result of “human error.” The justice secretary expressed anger over the mistake, calling it “completely unacceptable” and assuring the public that there would be accountability for the lapse. He emphasized that steps were already being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future, including the implementation of stricter release procedures.
An independent investigation has been commissioned to examine the chain of events that led to the blunder. The probe will be led by Dame Lynne Owens, former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and former head of the National Crime Agency. It will have the same level of scrutiny as previous high-profile reviews into prison security breaches, including major escapes and assaults on officers.
The justice secretary outlined that new release protocols have been introduced immediately. These involve a comprehensive five-page checklist that requires multiple levels of approval from senior prison officials before any inmate can be freed. The reforms are intended to reinforce accountability and ensure public safety.
Political tensions have flared following the incident, with opposition members criticizing the government’s handling of the prison system. One opposition figure accused the justice secretary of incompetence and demanded to know whether he would resign if the offender was not deported within the week. The justice secretary dismissed the suggestion, insisting his focus remained on ensuring justice for victims and preventing further administrative failures.
Kebatu, who will now be deported back to Ethiopia “as quickly as possible,” remains in custody pending completion of the investigation. The case has reignited debate over the management of foreign offenders and the broader challenges facing the UK’s correctional system.
