A convicted sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison has made startling allegations that police ignored his attempts to surrender himself, exposing concerning gaps in the UK's justice system.
System Failure Exposed
Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian national convicted of sexual assault, found himself at the centre of an extraordinary situation after being wrongly released from HMP Wandsworth. The 33-year-old migrant claims he made multiple efforts to hand himself in to authorities, only to be turned away by Metropolitan Police officers.
"I tried to do the right thing," Kebatu stated in an exclusive interview, "but nobody would listen to me." His allegations paint a picture of a system in disarray, where communication breakdowns between prison services and police created a dangerous limbo.
Chilling Sequence of Events
The troubling timeline began when Kebatu was released from prison despite being subject to immigration detention. Realising the error, he reportedly:
- Approached multiple police stations seeking to surrender
- Provided documentation of his conviction and status
- Explained the administrative mistake to officers
- Was repeatedly told he couldn't be helped
This period of freedom lasted several days before Kebatu was eventually located and returned to custody, but not before serious questions were raised about public protection protocols.
Metropolitan Police Under Scrutiny
The Metropolitan Police Service now faces intense scrutiny over its handling of the case. A spokesperson acknowledged the incident, stating: "We are aware of the claims and are reviewing our procedures to ensure such situations are handled appropriately in future."
However, this response has done little to calm concerns about potential public safety risks during the period Kebatu remained at large.
Broader Implications for Justice System
This case highlights multiple systemic issues:
- Communication failures between prison and immigration services
- Inadequate training for frontline police officers
- Potential gaps in offender management protocols
- Questions about accountability within the justice system
The Home Office has launched an urgent review into the circumstances surrounding Kebatu's release and the subsequent handling of his attempts to surrender. Meanwhile, victim support organisations have expressed alarm at the potential risks created by such administrative errors.
As the investigation continues, this case serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing Britain's justice and immigration systems, and the very real consequences when those systems fail.
