Sat Oct 25 07:40:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
Urgent Manhunt Underway in London for Released Sex Offender
London – A manhunt is underway in London for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a convicted sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison. Kebatu, a 41-year-old Ethiopian national and former asylum seeker, was jailed for 12 months in September for sexual assault against a woman and a 14-year-old girl. He was also made subject of a five-year sexual harm prevention order. He was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention centre for deportation, but was freed in error.
Essex Police confirmed Kebatu was seen boarding a train to London at Chelmsford railway station on Friday afternoon. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy stated that Kebatu is now “at large in London” and the Metropolitan Police are assisting in the search.
The Prison Service has acknowledged the error, attributing it to human error. An investigation is underway, and the prison officer responsible for authorizing the release has been removed from duties.
The incident has sparked outrage, with political figures calling for Kebatu’s immediate recapture and deportation. Opposition parties are criticizing the Labour government, blaming them for a “collapsing prison system” and accusing them of incompetence for allowing the release. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described Britain as “broken” as a result of the error. The Lib Dem MP for Chelmsford voiced that she was struggling not to call for HMP Chelmsford’s governor to resign.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about Kebatu’s whereabouts to contact the police immediately.
First Piper 