Epping hotel asylum seeker who sexually assaulted girl ‘freed by mistake’

An asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman has been freed from prison by mistake, it has been reported.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was jailed for 12 months back in September – but has since been released fromHMP Chelmsford in Essex.

A major hunt is now ongoing to trace the 41-year-old, who was meant to be sent to an immigration detention center to be deported.

Deputy prime minister David Lammy is said to be ‘furious’ and has ordered an investigation, according to a government source cited by The Sun.

A senior justice source said: ‘He has been released in error – this is the mother of all f**k ups.

‘It is down to human error, with the wrong paperwork on it or something.’

Kebatu had been living at the Bell Hotel in Epping at the time of his crimes and sparked multiple anti-immigration protests and counter rallies, turning violent.

The demonstrations – and the fighting – then spread to further hotels for asylum seekers across the country.

The Ethiopian national told two teenagers he wanted to ‘have a baby with each of them’ before trying to kiss them, putting his hand on one of the girls’ thighs and then stroking her hair.

He also sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty.

He was eventually found guilty of two counts of sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and harassment without violence earlier this month.

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