Convicted intercourse offender Hadush Kebatu has been arrested in north London, two days after he was mistakenly launched from jail.
The previous asylum seeker was wrongly let loose when he was as a consequence of be despatched to an immigration detention centre to be deported on Friday.
He was arrested this morning within the Finsbury Park space of London, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
Kebatu grew to become one of many nation’s highest-profile intercourse offenders after studies of his crimes sparked protests on the Bell Lodge in Epping, the place he was staying whereas searching for asylum after arriving within the UK by small boat.
The Ethiopian nationwide advised two youngsters he needed to ‘have a child with every of them’ earlier than making an attempt to kiss them, placing his hand on one of many ladies’ thighs and stroking her hair.
He additionally sexually assaulted a girl by making an attempt to kiss her, placing his hand on her leg and telling her she was fairly.
In response, demonstrators started to collect exterior the lodge the place he was staying, and protests unfold to different resorts housing migrants.
The native council sought an injunction making an attempt to ban the lodge from getting used to accommodate asylum seekers – however this was overturned after the federal government appealed.
Kebatu’s launch induced main embarrassment for the federal government, with Justice Secretary David Lammy saying he was ‘furious’ on behalf of the general public over the error.
UPDATE: Hadush Kebatu, who was launched in error from HMP Chelmsford, has been arrested. Kebatu was situated by Met officers close to Finsbury Park at round 8.30am because of data acquired from a member of the general public.He will likely be returned to the custody of the Jail Service.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) October 26, 2025
This morning, Well being Secretary Wes Streeting stated: ‘There does must be accountability for such an egregious failure.’
In a press release, the Metropolitan Police stated: ‘Hadush Kebatu, who was launched in error from HMP Chelmsford, has been arrested.
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‘Kebatu was situated by Met officers close to Finsbury Park at round 8.30am because of data acquired from a member of the general public.
‘He will likely be returned to the custody of the Jail Service.’
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