In a dramatic turn of events that exposed serious flaws in the UK prison system, Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu - a convicted sex offender - was apprehended in London after being mistakenly released from an Essex prison. The three-day intensive manhunt finally concluded when Metropolitan Police officers tracked down the dangerous criminal.
Prison System Failure
The shocking sequence of events began when prison authorities at an Essex correctional facility erroneously discharged Kebatu, despite his status as a registered sex offender with a history of violent crimes. The administrative blunder triggered immediate concern among law enforcement agencies about public safety.
Three-Day Intensive Search
Following the mistaken release, multiple police forces launched a coordinated manhunt spanning several counties. The search operation involved:
- Surveillance of known associates and frequented locations
- Coordination between Essex Police and Metropolitan Police units
- Public alerts and community monitoring
- Intensive intelligence gathering across London
London Capture
After 72 hours of relentless pursuit, Metropolitan Police officers successfully located and arrested Kebatu in London. The operation demonstrated effective inter-agency cooperation, though it raised serious questions about prison security protocols.
Background of the Offender
Hadush Kebatu, originally from Ethiopia, had been serving time for serious sexual offenses. His criminal record includes multiple convictions that made his mistaken release particularly alarming for community safety.
The incident has prompted internal investigations into prison release procedures, with authorities vowing to review and strengthen verification systems to prevent similar dangerous errors in the future.
