On the morning of October 24, 2025, a grave error at HMP Chelmsford set off alarm bells across the United Kingdom. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an Ethiopian national convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Epping, Essex, was mistakenly released from prison instead of being transferred to an immigration removal centre for deportation. The blunder has triggered a nationwide manhunt, fierce political debate, and palpable fear among local residents.
Kebatu, who arrived in the UK by small boat just days before the assaults, was living at the Bell Hotel in Epping when the incidents occurred in early July 2025. According to Sky News and BBC News, the assaults took place on July 7 and 8—barely a week after his arrival. During his trial at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, it emerged that Kebatu had tried to kiss the teenage girl, put his hand on her thigh, and stroked her hair after she offered him pizza. He made sexually explicit comments, told the girl and her friend he wanted to have a baby with them, and invited them back to the hotel. The following day, he encountered the same girl again, tried to kiss her, and also assaulted a woman who intervened to help.
The court heard harrowing testimony from the teenage victim, who said she "froze" and felt "really creeped out," telling Kebatu, "No, I'm 14." The woman who tried to help was also subjected to unwanted advances—Kebatu put his hand on her thigh and tried to kiss her while she was offering to help him create a CV. According to The Daily Mail, District Judge Christopher Williams described Kebatu’s behavior as "disgusting and sickening," adding that it highlighted his "poor regard for women." The judge further stated that Kebatu posed a "significant risk of reoffending."
In September 2025, Kebatu was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and harassment without violence. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, given a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order banning him from contacting any female, and required to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. Despite the gravity of his crimes, Kebatu showed no remorse during sentencing, according to court observers.
The incident quickly became a flashpoint for wider social tensions. Protests and counter-protests erupted outside the Bell Hotel in Epping and at other hotels housing asylum seekers across the country. The case stoked fierce debate about the UK’s asylum and deportation policies, with many locals expressing anger and fear. As one Chelmsford resident told The Daily Mail, "It's terrifying. What the hell has gone wrong there for that to happen? It's a joke. It's an absolute disgrace. This is a family area. We're so worried." Residents have reportedly formed patrol groups, with women vowing to only go out in groups until Kebatu is found.
The mistaken release on October 24 was, in the words of a senior justice source quoted by The Daily Mail, "the mother of all f*** ups" and attributed to human error. Videos circulated on social media hours after his release, appearing to show a man matching Kebatu’s description walking in Chelmsford town centre, wearing a grey tracksuit and carrying a clear plastic bag containing a Salvation Army magazine—an item commonly found in prisons. Police later confirmed that Kebatu boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford Railway Station at 12:41 pm. Essex Police were first notified of the error at 12:57 pm and immediately launched a manhunt, collaborating with partner agencies to locate and detain him.
The Home Office had reportedly been prepared to transfer Kebatu to an immigration removal centre, as is standard procedure under the UK Borders Act 2007 for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes. Instead, a breakdown in communication or protocol led to his accidental freedom. The Prison Service has launched an urgent investigation, and an officer has been removed from prisoner discharge duties while inquiries continue. A spokesperson for the Prison Service told BBC News: "We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford. Public protection is our top priority, and we have launched an investigation into this incident."
The political fallout has been swift and severe. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the release "totally unacceptable," stating, "I am appalled that it has happened, and it's being investigated. The police are working urgently to track him down, and my government is supporting them. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes." Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy echoed these sentiments, saying, "We are urgently working with the police to track him down, and I've ordered an urgent investigation. Kebatu must be deported for his crimes, not on our streets."
Opposition politicians have also weighed in, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch blaming Labour for what she described as "the entire system collapsing." She said, "Conservatives voted against Labour's prisoner release program because it was putting predators back on our streets. But this man has only just been convicted. A level of incompetence that beggars belief." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was even more blunt, declaring, "The Epping hotel migrant sex attacker has been accidentally freed rather than deported. He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is broken." Chelmsford MP Marie Goldman called the incident a "cock-up" and demanded a rapid public inquiry, saying, "This is utterly unacceptable and has potentially put my constituents in danger. I expect answers from the Prison Service."
Public concern has only been heightened by revelations that such errors, while officially described as rare, are not unheard of. Policing and crime commentator Danny Shadow told Sky News that "last year, there were 87 prisoners who were released in error. So that's around six or so every single month. Seventy were released from error from prisons and another 17 from the courts." This has led many to question whether the problem is systemic rather than isolated.
Meanwhile, the government’s broader migration policies have come under renewed scrutiny. The Prime Minister recently announced a "one in, one out" deal with France, aiming to return migrants to France in exchange for genuine asylum seekers. Yet, as The Daily Mail reported, a migrant previously deported under this policy was spotted arriving in the UK again, having crossed the Channel for a second time. The PM insisted the individual would be swiftly returned to France, but critics argue that these incidents expose deeper flaws in the system.
As of Friday evening, Kebatu remains at large, and the manhunt continues. The case has left residents anxious, politicians at loggerheads, and the public demanding accountability. With investigations ongoing and emotions running high, the incident stands as a stark reminder of the risks posed by administrative errors—and the urgent need for systemic reform.
