Met Police Leads Manhunt for Escaped Migrant Sex Offender in London

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a convicted sex offender and asylum seeker, was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford and subsequently boarded a train to London, where he was last seen at Stratford station. The Metropolitan Police have taken over the manhunt from Essex Police, expressing high confidence that Kebatu remains in the London area and urging the public to report any sightings immediately. Kebatu was serving a 12-month sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and was expected to be deported upon release, but he managed to evade immigration enforcement. Police have deployed additional resources, including the Specialist Crime Command, and are reviewing CCTV footage to track his movements. The public has been directly appealed to by police to encourage Kebatu to surrender safely. The case has sparked public concern and criticism, highlighted by the victim's father's statement that the justice system has failed them.