Epping Sex Offender: Met Police Appeal – Live Updates

by mark.thompson business editor

Kebatu: Sex Offender Released From Prison, Sparks Manhunt in London

A convicted sex offender, known only as Kebatu, remains at large after an accidental release from a UK prison, prompting a multi-force police operation across London. The case has ignited public concern adn raised serious questions about the security protocols within the British correctional system.

Kebatu’s journey to notoriety began on June 29th, when he arrived in the United Kingdom via a small boat, having previously travelled through Sudan, Libya, Italy, and France.He immediately sought asylum in the UK. However, his actions following arrival quickly demonstrated a dangerous propensity for violence and sexual assault.

Did you know? – Kebatu’s arrival in the UK was via a small boat, a common route for asylum seekers, but his subsequent actions quickly marked him as a serious threat to public safety.

Timeline of Offenses

The first recorded incident occurred on July 7th in Epping, Essex, where Kebatu made sexually-explicit remarks to a 14-year-old girl who was with a friend.The following day, July 8th, he escalated his behavior, sexually assaulting a woman and then repeating the assault on the same teenage girl, encountering her by chance. A witness, observing Kebatu with the girl, immediately contacted emergency services, leading to his arrest overnight.

Kebatu initially denied the charges when appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on July 10th. The subsequent trial, which began on August 26th, heard Kebatu claim, “I’m not a wild animal,” as he continued to protest his innocence.

However, on September 4th, a jury found him guilty on multiple counts: two counts of sexual assault, one count of attempted sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence.

Sentencing and Deportation Order

On September 23rd, kebatu was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years. Crucially, he was also informed that he would be deported following his release.

This is where the system failed. On October 24th, Kebatu was accidentally released from HMP Chelmsford.Instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center to await deportation, he was mistakenly set free.

Pro tip: – Sex offender registration is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions, designed to help law enforcement monitor and protect communities.

Manhunt Underway

Essex Police immediately alerted the public and initiated a search operation.By October 25th, authorities confirmed they were working in collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and British Transport police, believing Kebatu to be somewhere within the greater London area.

“Officers are working tirelessly to locate and apprehend this individual,” a senior official stated. “The public’s safety is our utmost priority.”

The accidental release and subsequent manhunt have prompted a full internal investigation in

Reader question: – What systemic changes are needed to prevent similar accidental releases of convicted offenders in the future? Share your thoughts.

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