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Mumbai, October 27: On Sunday, October 26, London's Metropolitan Police said that they arrested Ethiopian migrant sex offender Hadush Kebatu, who was "mistakenly" released in error from HM Prison Chelmsford in Essex. Sharing an update on X (formerly Twitter), the London police said that the Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was located by Met officers near Finsbury Park at around 8.30 AM. They also thanked a member of the public for sharing information on the Ethiopian national. "He will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service," the Metropolitan Police said in their post. The development comes after Hadush Kebatu, an asylum-seeker, who was sentenced to 12 months in a British prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, was mistakenly released on Friday, October 24. This prompted an urgent police search for the migrant sex offender whose case had prompted anti-migrant protests in the country. UK Shocker: Man Sets Dogs on Badgers for Entertainment, Filmed Brutal Attacks in Wales; Sentenced to 16 weeks in Prison. Hadush Kebatu Has Been Arrested, Says London Police UPDATE: Hadush Kebatu, who was released in error from HMP Chelmsford, has been arrested. Kebatu was located by Met officers near Finsbury Park at around 8.30am thanks to information received from a member of the public. He will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 26, 2025 Soon after the incident came to light, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "appalled" at the "totally unacceptable" release of the 38-year-old sex offender from Ethiopia. The incident came to light after the Ethiopian national was "mistakenly" released from the prison in Chelmsford ahead of his deportation. Speaking about Hadush Kebatu's arrest, Commander James Conway, who oversaw 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." James Conway further said that information from the public led officers to Finsbury Park, and following a search, they located Kebatu, who was immediately detained. Although details of how Kebatu ended up being released remain sketchy, the Essex Police said they were alerted just before 1 PM to "an error this morning surrounding the release of an individual". After the incident, the Prison Service launched an investigation in connection with the incident. UK Shocker: Woman Suffering From Depression Smothers Autistic Son to Death, Leaves ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ Note Before Attempting Suicide in Essex; Arrested. Police Release CCTV of Hadush Kebatu, Who Was 'Mistakenly' Released From Essex Prison This is a closer image of the distinctive bag Kebatu is now carrying. pic.twitter.com/jPFVyRltsD — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 25, 2025 A prison officer has also been removed from discharging duties. Last month, Hadush Kebatu was found guilty of five offences, including sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and harassment. Notably, his arrest and prosecution led thousands of people to protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, northeast of London, where he was staying along with other newly arrived migrants. It is also reported that the migrant sex offender arrived in England by boat just over a week before the July day when he was adjudged to have approached the victim in Epping, attempted to kiss her and even placed his hand on the girl’s thigh.
