Sex offender arrested after being mistakenly released
An arrest was made today
Last updated 26th Oct 2025
A man who was was released in error from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning, has been arrested.
An arrest was made this morning (Sunday 26th October 2025) at around 8:30am.
Hadush Kebatu was found in the Finsbury Park area of London, two days after being let go in error.
Commander James Conway, who has overseen the operation, said: “This has been a diligent and fast paced investigation led by specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police, supported by Essex Police and the British Transport Police.
“Information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park and following a search, they located Mr Kebatu. He was detained by police, but will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service.
“I am extremely grateful to the public for their support following our appeal."
Cabinet minister Wes Streeting said there needs to be accountability for the "egregious failure" which resulted in Hadush Kebatu's release.
The Health Secretary told Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News: "This man was behind bars because of serious sex offences.
"He is not meant to be in this country. In fact, what was supposed to be happening is he was meant to be transferred for deportation. So the idea that he's loose on our streets is incredibly serious. It is a serious failure."
Justice Secretary David Lammy has launched an investigation to find out "what's gone wrong, who is responsible, so there can be accountability", Mr Streeting added.
"We know that one prison officer has been suspended already, but there does need to be accountability for such an egregious failure."
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Hadush Kebatu would be deported "as quickly as possible".
"I would like to thank the Met, Essex and British Transport Police for their tireless work around the clock to hunt down and arrest Hadush Kebatu," she said.
"He will be deported as quickly as possible."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "Hadush Kebatu has been arrested and will be deported.
"Officers have worked quickly and diligently to bring him back into custody.
"We have ordered an investigation to establish what went wrong. We must make sure this doesn't happen again."
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu should now be "immediately deported".
The Conservative MP for Croydon South said: "It's good that he has been finally caught but I remain shocked that this inept Labour Government let him out in the first place.
"They should never have allowed his release and I think David Lammy and Shabana Mahmood have questions to answer because they have presided over this system.
"What should happen now to this man is that he should be immediately deported. He is quite clearly a risk to women and girls.
"Just eight days after illegally crossing the Channel, he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Essex and we don't want people in this country who are going to attack women and girls in that way, so he should be immediately deported."
Justice Secretary David Lammy said Hadush Kebatu will be deported.
He said: "Kebatu has been arrested, is now in custody and will be deported.
"Thanks to the Met, Essex and British Transport Police for their swift and thorough work.
"I have already ordered the immediate strengthening of release checks and a full investigation into what went wrong."
Zia Yusuf, head of policy for Reform UK, told Sky News he was "relieved" at the arrest of migrant sex offender Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu.
Mr Yusuf said: "I'm relieved that he has finally been re-arrested, re-apprehended.
"One can only consider how the victim and the victim's family must feel.
"I mean, I said yesterday on social media that the state of Britain's descent into a Monty Python sketch was almost complete.
"This is a man who eyewitnesses said was actively trying to go back into prison after being accidentally let go.
"So, look, glad he's been apprehended but I mean it's absolutely shocking and how any victim of sexual assault could look at this Labour government and Jess Phillips in particular, and the whole state apparatus right now, and have any degree of confidence is beyond me."
Chelmsford's Liberal Democrat MP Marie Goldman called for a "rapid" national inquiry into the blunder.
She said: "I am relieved that Hadush Kebatu has been found and is back in custody. He must now be deported.
"But this doesn't excuse the serious mistakes that let this happen in the first place. It's unacceptable that the safety of my constituents, and the people of London, was ever put at risk.
"The Prison Service had several chances to fix it and failed.
"The Government has serious questions to answer and major work to do to make the system fit for purpose. It certainly isn't at the moment.
"A rapid, national inquiry must happen to get to the bottom of this."
Cabinet minister Wes Streeting said it was a relief that Hadush Kebatu had been apprehended.
He said "vital intelligence that came from vigilant members of the public" led to his arrest.
The Health Secretary said: "I am appalled that this man was released, he should never have been on our streets, we will get to the bottom of what went wrong and we will make sure there is accountability and transparency with the public."