Public opinion about the effectiveness of the UK government took another hit on Friday after a migrant, who had been illegally in the country and provoked significant protests, was mistakenly released from prison just a month after he was convicted of child sexual assault.
Hadush Gabersulassie Kebatu, an Ethiopian migrant who had assaulted a child in Epping, Essex, was accidentally let go from HMP Chelmsford mere days after arriving in the UK by crossing the English Channel in a smuggler’s boat. This incident reignited tensions, leading to demonstrations against immigration at a local hotel during the summer.
Last month, Kebatu received a one-year sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and egging the child on to commit sexual acts. Astonishingly, only 31 days into his sentence, he was released on Friday morning.
According to reports, he was meant to be transported to a deportation center by Border Patrol agents following his release. The details surrounding why this procedure failed remain unclear, but the prison officer involved has been suspended pending an investigation.
In an unusual twist, the father of the victim confronted officials at Chelmsford Prison that evening seeking answers regarding his child’s attacker’s release. He expressed his “frustration” and claimed, “The justice system has failed us.”
Kebatu was later spotted walking through Chelmsford, eventually boarding a train to London, all while still wearing his gray prison uniform. He was seen carrying a clear plastic bag, presumably containing items associated with his arrest, which included a labeled evidence bag and a Salvation Army magazine.
Authorities are actively pursuing Kebatu, with three police forces involved in the search. Justice Minister David Lamy emphasized that London is fully mobilized to locate him.
Essex Police acknowledged the “mistake” at around 12:57 p.m. on Friday, shortly after Kebatu boarded a train heading to London at 12:41 p.m. They assured the public that they were conducting a “fast-track investigation” aimed at locating and apprehending him urgently.
The government has faced scrutiny over this situation, with the Conservative Party calling for a comprehensive investigation. Brexiteer Nigel Farage criticized the government’s failure to deport foreign criminals, stating that instead, they have “released them onto the streets.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed that this “mistake” was entirely unacceptable and conveyed his dismay, asserting, “This man must be arrested for his crimes and deported.”
Earlier reports indicated that protests began in Epping when news surfaced of the assault. This unrest stemmed from the presence of migrants in taxpayer-funded accommodations, which has prompted backlash from local residents across England and Wales throughout the summer, leading to confrontations with the police.
