epping hotel asylum seeker who sexually assaulted girl freed by mistake

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 from HMP Chelmsford in Essex and is thought to have boarded a train to London.

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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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.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.’Kebatu had been in prison only for four weeks before being released (Picture: Essex Police)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.Police watch protesters outside the Bell Hotel in Epping (Picture: PA)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.Sentencing Kebatu last month,a judge told him his behaviour ‘highlights the poor regard you must have for women’.Multiple protests were held outside the Bell Hotel after the Ethiopian national was charged (Picture: PA)The court heard at his sentencing hearing it was his ‘firm wish’ to later be deported.A Prison Service spokesperson said: ‘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.’Metro has contacted Essex Police for a comment.Got a story?