The UK has deported migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu to Ethiopia after his mistaken release from prison sparked widespread outrage.
Footage from Heathrow Airport showed Kebatu being escorted onto a plane on Tuesday night, bringing an end to a week-long controversy that raised serious questions over the prison system’s handling of high-risk offenders.
UK Government Confirms Deportation
Government officials confirmed that Kebatu has no right to return to the UK.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she had “pulled every lever” to ensure his removal, adding: “I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported. Our streets are safer because of it.”
Arrest and Background
Kebatu was arrested by the Metropolitan Police in the Finsbury Park area of north London at around 8.30am on Sunday following an intensive manhunt.
Last month, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl and a woman in Epping, Essex, just a week after arriving in the UK on a small boat.
Although Kebatu was meant to be handed directly to immigration officials for deportation, he was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday. He remained at large for nearly 48 hours before being detained again.
The blunder has triggered public anger and renewed criticism of the management of asylum-seeking offenders. The case also reignited local concerns in Epping, where Kebatu’s crimes had already prompted protests against the use of asylum hotels.
Review and New Safeguards
Home Secretary Mahmood said the incident “should never have happened” and promised that measures were being taken to ensure it was not repeated.
Reports suggest the offender returned to the prison reception several times before leaving the area by train to London.
Justice Secretary David Lammy said the error was caused by human oversight and confirmed he had ordered an urgent review of prison release procedures.
New protocols have been introduced, requiring five pages of release checks and senior staff authorisation before any inmate is discharged, according to Sky News.
Mr Lammy said: “A mistake of this nature is unacceptable, and we must get to the bottom of what happened.”
Editing by M10News Crime Desk | Contact: crime@m10news.com
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