Following a threat to disrupt his deportation, Hadush Kebatu was forcibly sent back to Ethiopia and received a payment of £500 as part of the removal process.
The individual, who had been mistakenly released from prison prior to his deportation, was flown back to his home country on Tuesday night and barred from re-entering the UK upon his arrival the next morning. The decision to provide the payment was made by the removal team for operational reasons without ministerial involvement.
It is believed that the alternative of detaining Kebatu further and arranging a new flight would have been a slower and more costly process, possibly leading to legal complications.
The cancellation of Kebatu’s flight was estimated to incur substantial expenses. The 38-year-old, previously convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Essex, had been serving a 12-month jail sentence before his deportation.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed satisfaction in successfully deporting Kebatu, emphasizing the efforts made to ensure his removal from the country. Mahmood stated, “I am glad to confirm the removal of this abhorrent child sex offender, enhancing the safety of our communities.”
Kebatu, an Ethiopian national, had initially triggered a significant manhunt across the south east after fleeing to London. His criminal acts were committed while he was staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
On a Sunday morning around 8:30 am, the apprehension of the sex offender took place in the Finsbury Park area. He was seen being escorted by plain-clothed police officers near a bus stop in north London, wearing a black jacket and jeans.
Accompanied by three plain-clothed officers and with a hood covering his head, Kebatu was led to a police van, having entered the UK by crossing the Channel on a small boat on June 29. Despite having personal funds upon release from prison, he did not receive a discharge grant for living expenses.
A delivery driver reported witnessing Kebatu’s confused attempts to return to HMP Chelmsford multiple times, only to be rejected by prison staff and directed to the railway station. An investigation is underway, leading to the suspension of a prison officer responsible for prisoner releases.
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