Migrant sex offender arrested after being released from prison in error

A migrant who was released from prison in error on Friday (24 October) has now been arrested.

Hadush Kebatu was found in north London at 8:30 this morning and taken back into custody following the large-scale manhunt this weekend.

He was mistakenly let go from HMP Chelmsford and boarded a train to East London 16 minutes before Essex Police were made aware. The Ethiopian national was supposed to have been sent to an immigration detention centre.

He was sentenced in September for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping while living in an asylum hotel.

Cmd James Conway, who oversaw the operation to find Kebatu, said: "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 (BTP).

"Information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park, and following a search, they located Mr Kebatu.

"I am extremely grateful to the public for their support following our appeal, which assisted in locating Mr Kebatu."

The Metropolitan Police added that he has been detained and will be returned to the prison service's custody.