An asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman has been freed from prison by mistake today.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was jailed for 12 months back in September – but has since been released fromHMP Chelmsford in Essex.
A major hunt is now ongoing to trace the 38-year-old, who was meant to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported.
He has only been behind bars for four weeks before the ‘human error’ that led to his release.
A Prison Service officer has been removed from duties, it is understood.
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Deputy prime minister David Lammy is ‘appalled’ at the human error which allowed the inmate to walk free.
The politician said: ‘I am appalled at the release in error at HMP Chelmsford. 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.’
Chelmsford MP Marie Goldman stressed that this is ‘utterly unacceptable’ and warned that the mistake has potentially put her constituents in danger.
She confirmed that she closely following the search and is in contact with the police and the prison.
‘The police must do everything they can to ensure that this man is returned to custody immediately so that he is deported at once,’ the politician said.
‘Once the manhunt is over, there must be a full, rapid public inquiry into how this happened.’
Kebatu had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping at the time of his crimes and sparked multiple anti-immigration protests and counter rallies, turning violent.
The demonstrations – and the fighting – then spread to further hotels for asylum seekers across the country.
The Ethiopian national told two teenagers he wanted to ‘have a baby with each of them’ before trying to kiss them, putting his hand on one of the girls’ thighs and then stroking her hair.
He also sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty.
He was eventually found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and harassment without violence earlier this month.
Metro has contacted Essex Police for a comment.
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