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Epping Sex Offender Receives £500 Amid Deportation Chaos

A child sex offender mistakenly released in the UK received £500 as he was deported to Ethiopia, highlighting immigration challenges and systemic chaos.

By Nicole Harris4 min readOct 29, 20258 views
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cryptocurrency A troubling incident in the UK has drawn attention to the complexities surrounding immigration and public safety. A convicted child sex offender, Hadush Kebatu, was mistakenly released from prison after arriving in the UK via a small boat. As he was being deported back to Ethiopia, he received a £500 discretionary payment from public funds, raising questions about the handling of his case.

Hadush Kebatu, who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman, was unexpectedly freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center. This error triggered a two-day manhunt to locate him. Kebatu was eventually apprehended and deported back to Ethiopia on Tuesday night.

Upon arriving in Ethiopia, Kebatu spoke to Sky News, claiming he had attempted to surrender to the police prior to his capture. He recounted his experience, stating, "I [told] police, look here, police I am wanted man, I am arrested, I will give you my hand, please help where is police station? He ignored me, he drove [off].” He further identified himself, saying, “You know me, or my image, my name is Hadush Kebatu, nationality Ethiopia. Please, I was the mistake release from Chelmsford prison. Please help me.”

In response to Kebatu's assertions, the Metropolitan Police clarified their stance, stating, "The Met is not aware of any evidence to support the claims that Kebatu approached officers on Saturday morning. The actions of officers who responded to the sighting of him on Sunday morning show how seriously they were taking the manhunt. Kebatu’s actions on the morning of his arrest were more like those of someone trying to avoid officers, not trying to hand himself in." This indicates a significant discrepancy between Kebatu's account and the police's version of events.

Epping Sex Offender Receives £500 Amid Deportation Chaos Kebatu was flown back to Ethiopia under the supervision of five escorts and arrived on Wednesday morning, without any right to return to the UK, as confirmed by the Home Office. His case has become emblematic of the difficulties faced by the UK in managing irregular immigration and the systemic chaos within the criminal justice framework.

The £500 payment made to Kebatu was deemed an operational decision by officials on the day of his deportation, with the aim of ensuring a smooth removal process. This payment was not authorized by ministers, reflecting the complexities involved in such cases. It was noted that Kebatu had previously expressed a desire to return to Ethiopia following his conviction.

British Journalist's Detention by ICE Sparks Outrage and Concern According to Downing Street, Kebatu had attempted to apply for a “facilitated return scheme,” which has offered foreign nationals resettlement grants of up to £1,500 under various governments. However, his application was denied. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson explained, "However, given Kebatu threatened to disrupt the flight, an operational decision was taken to facilitate his return.”

The decision to grant a payment to Kebatu was primarily influenced by financial considerations. Officials determined that the alternative would involve a more prolonged and costly process, including additional detention, the need to arrange a new flight, and the potential for legal challenges. Canceling the flight could have incurred expenses running into several thousands of pounds.

https://coinzn.org/ While “forcible” deportations typically do not include payments, removal teams can opt for discretionary payments to facilitate a smooth process. In this instance, there was a concern that rebooking flights could be significantly more expensive and may lead to complicated legal ramifications.

The case of Hadush Kebatu highlights the significant challenges the UK faces in managing immigration and ensuring public safety. As the situation continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reforms in the immigration and criminal justice systems. The £500 payment, while operationally justified, raises broader questions about the effectiveness and accountability of the immigration process in the UK.

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#Immigration and asylum#Home Office#UK news#Prisons and probation#Society

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