MP Describes Epping Migrant Hadush Kebatu’s Jail Release as Mind-Blowing
The premature release of Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker, has sparked outrage and concern among officials and residents. Kebatu was serving a 12-month prison sentence at HMP Chelmsford for sexually assaulting two victims in Epping, Essex, in July.
Incident Overview
Kebatu’s release, described as a “mind-blowing” error by local MP Marie Goldman, occurred due to a mistake by the Prison Service. Instead of being transported to an immigration detention center for deportation, he was mistakenly allowed to leave prison and boarded a train bound for London.
Details of the Case
- Name: Hadush Kebatu
- Age: 41 (claims to be 38)
- Crime: Sexual assault
- Sentence: 12 months
- Date of arrest: July 8
- Date of release: 108 days later, on a Friday
- Location: HMP Chelmsford, Epping
Public Reaction and Calls for Action
The release has prompted a national manhunt for Kebatu, who was last seen in a grey tracksuit. Marie Goldman called for an “urgent public inquiry” into the blunder, highlighting the need for accountability and preventive measures.
Goldman and other officials are demanding that the resources be allocated to Essex Police to facilitate Kebatu’s capture. She stressed the importance of ensuring that such mistakes do not happen again, not just in Chelmsford but across the country.
Official Statements
Justice Secretary David Lammy expressed his outrage, stating he was “appalled” and “livid” on behalf of the public. In line with these sentiments, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer deemed the release “totally unacceptable.”
Local Liberal Democrat leader Stephen Robinson called for Kebatu’s prompt capture and deportation, labeling the situation as “outrageous.”
The Legal Framework
Under the UK Borders Act 2007, any foreign national convicted of an offense with a custodial sentence of at least 12 months must face deportation. This reinforces the critical nature of Kebatu’s case and the urgency in rectifying the error.
The incident has raised serious questions about the operational procedures within the penal system and the handling of asylum seekers in the UK. Immediate actions are being called for to safeguard public safety and restore confidence in the justice system.
