UK - Chelmsford - Manhunt for convicted sex offender Hadush Kebatu released from HMP Chelmsford in error (24 Oct '25) *Re-arrested*

[TMich6811]

How far away was he released from the victim’s location

 

[tedtink]

How far away was he released from the victim’s location

Chelmsford to Epping - 18 miles.
Central London to Epping - 24 miles (he's believed to be in London)

 

[TMich6811]

Chelmsford to Epping - 18 miles.
Central London to Epping - 24 miles (he's believed to be in London)

Thank you! I find myself protective of her in this situation

 

[Telltale]

Chelmsford to Epping - 18 miles.
Central London to Epping - 24 miles (he's believed to be in London)

He'd have to go into London and back out by the trains. Can't see that being a safeguarding concern. I don't think he knew her or where she lived.

Though I think the offences happened twice on two separate days when she spoke to him so maybe he wasn't a total stranger? I didn't follow the trial that closely. Either way, it doesn't sound the sort of case that you'd expect him to head her way. Though that's cold comfort for her furious dad I'm sure.

Sky News

So how was he allowed to walk free today?

• Kebatu was due to be released from prison today in order to be immediately deported.
• The prison released him on the expectation that he would be picked up by immigration enforcement, and the Home Office was ready to take Kebatu to an immigration removal centre, it is understood.
• But it is unclear exactly what happened next

Maybe a Home Office f*ck up? F*ck ups all around. Don't know how he was let out the front gate if an immigration van was supposed to drive in to pick him up.

 

[Parker Knoll]

Wasn’t he being housed at The Bell Epping at the time of the offence ?

 

[tedtink]

IIRC There were two victims.

 

[MollyHarps]

Our prison services needs a huge review imo.

I understand mistakes happen but this is a high profile criminal - you’d expect when he got called for release somebody wouldve thought ‘hang on a minute - Im sure hes doing much longer’

It’s not like he is a low key criminal in there where staff wouldn’t really know what hes done.

 

[bobbymkii]

BBM

“We’ve confirmed that Kebatu got off the London-bound train at Stratford station.

“We are examining CCTV from that area and further afield, including on the transport network, to establish information about his subsequent movements."

Met takes over manhunt for Hadush Kebatu

The Metropolitan Police has taken over the manhunt for Hadush Kebatu who was released in error from HMP Chelmsford yesterday morning.

news.met.police.uk

 

[bobbymkii]

Image: Kebatu boarded a train at Chelmsford Station at 12.41pm, which stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street

Manhunt for Epping hotel asylum seeker, jailed for sexually assaulting girl, after accidental release

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu had been staying at The Bell Hotel in the Essex town, with the incident fuelling weeks of protests at the site.

news.sky.com

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1982047309492789633

"Fury erupted at the mistake on Friday night,
with the Government accused of failing to protect victims, children and the wider public
from dangerous offenders such as Kebatu.

Video footage appeared to capture Kebatu (believed to be pictured in this footage) in Chelmsford town centre asking for directions from locals.

He was still wearing his prison-issue grey tracksuit
and clutching a plastic bag containing his possessions ."

 

[TMich6811]

So does he know he’s being looked for or just going about his life

 

[Dotta]

So does he know he’s being looked for or just going about his life

Does he speak English?

He got money and was set free.
Even those who don't speak English
understand
they are FREE to go wherever fancy takes them hehehe

JMO

 

[tillytatler]

This explains the huge amount of police helicopters that have been circling this week and annoying me while I try to watch The Traitors

 

[TMich6811]

Does he speak English?

He got money and was set free.
Even those who don't speak English
understand
they are FREE to go wherever fancy takes them hehehe

JMO

Well obviously, I was just thinking out loud as to whether or not he knows he’s being hunted down now

 

[tedtink]

Well obviously, I was just thinking out loud as to whether or not he knows he’s being hunted down now

If he’s walked past any newspaper stands in the past couple of days, he’ll know imo

 

[Telltale]

Well obviously, I was just thinking out loud as to whether or not he knows he’s being hunted down now

I thought that as well, when I thought he was just let out early from a normal stint. However, I am pretty sure the point of sentencing him to a years custodial, which is pretty high compared to similar convictions. Is because (politics/profile aside) that's the threshold for fastrack deportation.

He wasn't let out early in that they got his release date wrong. He was scheduled to leave the prison that day. The Home Office were supposed to take custody and process his immediate deportation.

So I cannot imagine he did not know from the start of his sentence that he would be leaving via a plane straight back to Ethiopia. Not let out the front gate.

Unfortunately, that probably means there was no period of time where he was bythly heading home, having a great day thinking he missed the memo they were letting him out early. He knew they mucked up, said nothing, and left intending to vanish before they worked it out.

 

[Dotta]

I thought that as well, when I thought he was just let out early from a normal stint. However, I am pretty sure the point of sentencing him to a years custodial, which is pretty high compared to similar convictions. Is because (politics/profile aside) that's the threshold for fastrack deportation.

He wasn't let out early in that they got his release date wrong. He was scheduled to leaving the prison that day. The Home Office were supposed to take custody so they could facilitate his deportation back to Ethiopia.

So I cannot imagine he did not know he was supposed to be put straight on a plane, not let out the gate.

Well,
If nobody came to put him on a plane to Ethiopia,
then the guy obviously thought he was free to roam the UK.

He didn't exactly hide in Chelmsford town centre
when asking passers-by for directions
and then while travelling by train.

JMO

Net closes on sex attack migrant as police reveal where he left train

Specialist officers from Met Police have launched a massive manhunt for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 41, who was released in error from HMP Chelmsford on Friday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[tedtink]

“Migrant ‘tried to return to prison but guards turned him away”
Access Restricted

 

[Telltale]

Well,
If nobody came to put him on a plane to Ethiopia,
then the guy obviously thought he was free to roam the UK.

He didn't exactly hide in Chelmsford town centre
when asking passers-by for directions
and then travelling by train.

View attachment 621701



JMO

Net closes on sex attack migrant as police reveal where he left train

Specialist officers from Met Police have launched a massive manhunt for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 41, who was released in error from HMP Chelmsford on Friday.

www.dailymail.co.uk

It is possible he was confused by being officially processed out, given the standard advice, money and a good luck. Maybe he was unsure if there had been a change of plan and thought it best not to ask too many questions.

But also, he's already carrying a clear bag of belongings and wearing the standard custody tracksuit, (it's not got logos or anything, but anyone who knows will immediately clock he's just been let out.) If you need directions, it's better to be casual about it.

It's a hell of a lot easier to hide in London than Chelmsford. Which, I can guarantee you, he has no familiarity with if he needs to ask how to get to the station from the high street. It's a minute up the road, you can't miss it.

Chelmsford to Stratford is a straight shot service, no change overs, and you can enter the underground from there without going through any barriers.

Also, if he is asking for directions, there's a decent chance he doesn't have a phone. Or at least not a smart phone that has battery. That'll probably make him harder to track.

 

[Telltale]

“Migrant ‘tried to return to prison but guards turned him away”
Access Restricted

Oh fair enough, perhaps there was a bit of a language barrier. Or they straight up weren't listening to him when he tried to tell them this wasn't what he'd been told was happening.

So maybe he is just kind of confused about what he's supposed to do now. Figured that if the prison insisted on releasing him, that must mean he's not getting deported yet. So he headed to a friends house to crash or something.

If he doesn't have a smartphone or perhaps doesn't read English/follow English news, (algorithms make it easy for people to exist in a near news free environment if inclined) and hasn't gone back outside yet. Then maybe he genuinely doesn't yet know <modsnip> and half the Met are looking for him.

If I'd just got out of jail, I'd probably want to veg and crash for a bit. Especially in his case, after all those riots over his arrest and his highly publicised trial. I'd guess he would have legitimate concerns about being recognised on the street regardless.

What an unessesary mess. I'd hate to see the final bill for tracking this dude down.