A police manhunt is underway after the hotel migrant who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Epping was mistakenly released from prison.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, was supposed to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported but was instead accidentally let loose, the Sun reports.
Police officers have now launched a major search to locate him.
It comes after Kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in prison last month for sexually assaulting the schoolgirl and a woman who attempted to intervene.
Hadush Kebatu, 41, was supposed to be sent to an immigration detention centre to be deported but was instead accidentally let loose
The Ethiopian national acted ‘ignorantly and repulsively’ when he sexually assaulted the schoolgirl and another woman just days after arriving in the country on a small boat, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard.
Kebatu became aroused as he put his hand on the girl’s thighs and stroked her hair despite knowing ‘full well she was only 14’.
The defendant, who was a ‘teacher of sports’ in his home country, then tried to kiss a woman who attempted to intervene, before putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty.
The offences took place on July 7 and 8 this year.
District Judge Christopher Williams said his ‘disgusting and sickening’ behaviour, which sparked a huge anti-migrant demonstration in Epping, Essex, highlighted the ‘poor regard you must have for women’.
Kebatu, who the court heard had tried to take his own life while on remand in prison, showed no emotion as he was told his sentence.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the sex offenders register. He was also told to pay £650 in court costs.
Kebatu’s arrest sparked a wave of anti-migrant protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country this summer.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
