Prison staff at HMP Chelmsford have blundered spectacularly by releasing a convicted illegal migrant sex offender by mistake — then pointed him towards the railway station. The shocking error has sparked a huge manhunt across London as police scramble to find Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu.

How Chaos Unfolded at Chelmsford Prison

Kebatu, 38, who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl days after arriving in Britain on a small boat, was due to be moved to an immigration removal centre ahead of deportation. Instead, he was mistakenly freed on Friday morning.

A local delivery driver working at the prison, known only as Sim, told Sky News that Kebatu looked “confused” and lingered outside the prison for around 90 minutes. Prison staff then directed him to Chelmsford Railway Station, effectively sending him on his way.

“He kept asking officers, ‘Where am I going? What am I doing? I don’t know where I’m going and what I’m doing,’” said Sim. “He was holding a pack of paperwork and a bag.”

Kebatu even approached Sim for help, saying: “I need you to help me.” Despite repeated trips to prison reception seeking clarity, Kebatu grew visibly upset and stressed.

Eventually, a prison staff member told him to catch a train to London. Kebatu was spotted on Chelmsford High Street later that day holding a prison-issue bag before boarding a train to London at 12:41pm.

Police Scramble as Kebatu Disappears into London

The train stopped at Shenfield and Stratford before arriving at London Liverpool Street station, although Kebatu disembarked at Stratford — one of the busiest hubs in the UK. Police were only alerted to the release error at 12:57pm, 16 minutes after Kebatu was already on the train.

The Met Police took over the investigation Saturday morning, with Commander James Conway calling the hunt for Kebatu a “top priority.” Teams from the Specialist Crime Command are on the case, using all available resources.

Officers issued an urgent plea for the public to call 999 with any sightings. No details about Kebatu’s appearance or clothing have been released, leaving the public on high alert as the fugitive could vanish via London’s extensive underground links.

Public Outrage and Political Backlash

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer blasted the release as “totally unacceptable,” insisting Kebatu must be caught and deported immediately. Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy declared himself “livid” and launched a full investigation into the fiasco.

The offender was mistakenly classified as a prisoner being released on licence and even received a £76 discharge grant. Kebatu was jailed for 12 months in September after a three-day trial found him guilty of multiple sexual offences against children and women.

District Judge Christopher Williams condemned Kebatu’s actions as “disgusting and sickening” and highlighted widespread public fear sparked by the case.

Chelmsford’s Lib Dem MP Marie Goldman is demanding a public inquiry, slamming the prison’s system and calling for accountability at the top. Unions described the error as a “profound failure of duty” and said immediate reforms are crucial to prevent future disasters.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp branded the mistake as “staggering incompetence” demanding apologies from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Justice Secretary Lammy. Reform UK’s Nigel Farage and Tory MPs also joined the chorus, saying Britain’s system is “broken” and collapsing under Labour’s watch.

Prison Blunders on the Rise: A National Crisis

The Chelmsford cock-up exposes deep issues in the UK prison system. Government data revealed prisoner releases in error more than doubled last year, reaching a record high of 262 cases — shaking public confidence.

A Prison Service spokesman said: “We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford. Public protection is our top priority, and we have launched an investigation into this incident.”

The incident reignites fierce debates over immigration policy, prison management, and public safety — with fears mounting over migrants housed in hotels across the UK and the government’s ability to enforce deportations swiftly.

As the nationwide hunt continues, all eyes remain on London to see if police can track down Kebatu and restore a sense of security to a rattled public.