Oct. 29 (UPI) — Britain on Wednesday confirmed that it has deported to Ethiopia a convicted child sex abuser who was erroneously freed last week instead of being transferred to an immigration center.
“I have pulled every lever to deport Mr. Kebatu and remove him off British soil. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement.
“Our streets are safer because of it.”
Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, was convicted in April of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Epping, Essex, which is part of the London metropolitan area.
On Friday, instead of being transferred to an immigration removal facility and deported back to Ethiopia, he was mistakenly released into the community.
A manhunt involving several law enforcement agencies was launched, resulting in Kebatu’s arrest on Sunday.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy announced Monday the launch of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kebatu’s release.
“I am livid on behalf of the victims and the public that this mistake was allowed to happen,” Lammy said in a statement.
“Any release in error is one too many,”
Kebatu gained national attention when his arrest in July sparked protests near the London hotel where he’d been staying. Hijacked by far-right demonstrators, the protest was met with police resistance. Clashes resulted in the arrest of more than 30 people. Police officers were injured and vehicles damaged.
The Ethiopian asylum seeker had abused the girl eight days after his arrival in Britain by boat from France.
The hotel was barred by court order from housing asylum seekers, a decision that was overturned on appeal.
