A police manhunt is underway for Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, an asylum seeker who was mistakenly released from prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and an adult woman. Kebatu, 41, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on September 23 for his crimes, which occurred shortly after he arrived in the UK from Ethiopia. Kebatu was supposed to be transferred to an immigration detention centre for deportation but was released in what has been described as a significant error. A senior justice source referred to the incident as "the mother of all f**k ups," attributing it to human error and incorrect paperwork. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has expressed his anger over the situation and is reportedly working closely with police to locate Kebatu. He stated, "He has been released in error – this is the mother of all f**k ups." Kebatu's release has sparked outrage, particularly as his actions led to widespread protests across the UK, including demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, where he was staying as an asylum seeker. His conviction stemmed from incidents on July 7 and 8, where he attempted to kiss the schoolgirl and made inappropriate comments, despite her being in school uniform. During the trial, it was revealed that Kebatu had also assaulted an adult woman who was helping him with job applications. After witnessing his inappropriate behaviour towards the girl, she contacted the police, leading to his arrest. Following his release, police have declared a critical incident and are actively searching for Kebatu. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has called for a thorough investigation into how this error occurred, stating, "This is utterly unacceptable and has potentially put my constituents in danger." Local MP Marie Goldman has also demanded immediate action to ensure Kebatu is returned to custody and deported. She emphasised the need for a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his release. Kebatu had been in custody for only four weeks before his accidental release. He is now considered a potential escape risk, having previously been classified as such while at HMP Chelmsford, where he was reportedly given access to various amenities and training courses. The police are urging anyone with information on Kebatu's whereabouts to come forward as the search continues.