The migrant whose assault on a child sparked widespread unrest across the United Kingdom earlier this year has been mistakenly released from prison, prompting a police manhunt and renewed public anger.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, was convicted last month on two counts of sexual assault against a 14-year-old girl and a woman, along with other charges, and sentenced to 12 months in prison.
His crimes, committed near an asylum hotel in the town of Epping, had earlier triggered nationwide protests over the government’s handling of the migrant influx.
A video circulating online on Friday appeared to show Kebatu walking freely through a crowded street in Chelmsford. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the convict had been released in error, calling the incident “totally unacceptable.”
“The mistaken release at His Majesty’s Prison (HMP) Chelmsford is totally unacceptable,” Starmer said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “The police are working urgently to track him down.”
According to a report, the prison officer responsible for Kebatu’s release has been removed from any duties related to prisoner discharge while an internal investigation is underway.
The incident has reignited tensions in Epping, where Kebatu’s attacks took place, leading to renewed protests outside the local migrant hotel. Demonstrators gathered on Friday, demanding the deportation of asylum seekers and accusing authorities of negligence.
Public frustration over the handling of illegal immigration has grown in recent months, with anti-immigration protests flaring across multiple towns and cities.
Also Read : Riot in Dublin after asylum seeker accused of raping child
Official data show that nearly 600 migrants have arrived in the UK via small boats in the past week alone, further intensifying the political and social debate.
Neighbouring Ireland has also seen unrest linked to migration. Earlier this week, a riot broke out after the alleged rape of a ten-year-old girl near a migrant accommodation facility, adding to tensions across the region.
The Home Office has yet to release an official statement regarding the circumstances of Kebatu’s mistaken release, but law enforcement agencies continue to search for him. Police have urged the public not to approach the convict and to report any sightings immediately.
Kebatu’s release has also sparked criticism of prison management and raised concerns about oversight failures within the correctional system. The Ministry of Justice is expected to issue a detailed explanation once the ongoing inquiry concludes.
The incident comes at a politically sensitive moment for Prime Minister Starmer’s government, which has pledged to restore public confidence in the justice and immigration systems amid rising public discontent.
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