Mistaken release from Chelmsford prison triggers manhunt

An Ethiopian national who had been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on Friday, triggering a two day police manhunt before he was arrested in north London and returned to custody, officials said. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who was sentenced in September to 12 months for offences including the assault of a 14 year old and an adult woman in Epping, had been due to be transferred to an immigration detention centre pending deportation when he was released in error, the Justice Secretary said.

Essex Police were alerted to the release at 12:57pm on Friday after Kebatu was seen boarding a London bound train from Chelmsford at about 12:41pm. CCTV and public sightings placed him in east London later that day. The Metropolitan Police said specialist officers located and arrested him near Finsbury Park at around 8:30am on Sunday following a public tipoff. Commander James Conway said the investigation had been "diligent and fast paced" and thanked members of the public who assisted in locating Kebatu. He will be returned to the custody of the Prison Service, the Met said.

Justice Secretary David Lammy described the release as...