Watch as Commander James Conway issues a statement
The Met Police is preparing to release footage of sex attacker Hadush Kebatu taken in London over the past 30 hours, after he was mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford. The force formally took over the manhunt from Essex Police at 11.30am once it was established that Kebatu, 41, had made a “number of train journeys across the London area”.
A political fallout has emerged following the wrongful release of Kebatu, who was jailed for 12 month in September after sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl while staying at a hotel in Epping as an asylum seeker. Justice Secretary David Lammy said yesterday that Kebatio was “at large” in London and that he was “livid on behalf of the public”, while shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted the government for “breathtaking incompetence”.
Commander Jason Conway, overseeing the manhunt for Kebatu, gave a press conference to reporters outside Scotland Yard. He said: “Officer’s from the Met’s specialist crime command are pursuing all possible lines of enquiry to find [Kebatu] and return him to custody.”
Commander Conway then gave an update of what is currently known about the absconded prisoner’s whereabouts, saying: “Mr Kebatu made his way to Chelmsford Train Station, following his release from prison, and boarded a train which departed at 12.42pm, arriving at Stratford station at 1.12pm yesterday.
“Mr Kebatu was released wearing a prison-issued grey tracksuit and holding a clear plastic bag containing his possessions. He has since made a number of train journeys across the London area.
“We believe he has access to funds and critically, in both Chelmsford and London, we believe he has sought assistance from members of the public and has spoken to station staff.
“If you’ve had any direct contact with him, or are currently providing him with assistance, we are very keen to hear from you. You might have information to help us establish his whereabouts.
“Later today, we will also be releasing new footage of Mr Kebatu in London. If you’ve seen the person in this footage or know of his whereabouts in the past 24 hours, please call 101 and tell us.
“I’m also making a direct appeal to Mr Kebatu himself. We want to locate you in a safe and controlled way. You had already indicated a desire to return to Ethiopia when speaking to immigration staff.
“The best outcome for you is to make contact directly with us by either calling 999 or reporting yourself to a police station.
“We would ask any members of the public who sees Mr Kebatu to call 999 immediately.”
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