Following a situation where Hadush Kebatu was flown back to Ethiopia after resisting deportation, reports indicate he received a £500 payment. This payment was reportedly part of an operational decision by the removal team and did not involve any government officials.
It is believed that the alternative to deportation would have been a lengthier and more costly process of detaining Kebatu further and arranging a new flight, which could have led to legal complications.
The expenses associated with canceling Kebatu’s flight were estimated to be substantial. Kebatu, a 38-year-old individual mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford, had recently served a jail sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman in Essex.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood expressed satisfaction with the successful deportation of Kebatu, emphasizing the efforts made to ensure his removal. Mahmood stated, “I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported. Our streets are safer because of it.”
Prior to his deportation, Kebatu had caused a notable manhunt in the southeast after fleeing to London. His criminal acts were committed while staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.
On the day of his arrest in the Finsbury Park area, Kebatu was seen being taken into custody by law enforcement officers. He was captured in photos being led away by officers near a bus stop, wearing a black jacket and jeans.
Reports indicate that Kebatu, who entered the UK by crossing the Channel in a small boat, left prison with personal funds but did not receive financial support for living expenses upon release.
Witnesses described Kebatu attempting to return to HMP Chelmsford multiple times in a confused state, only to be redirected to the railway station by prison staff. Following these incidents, a prison officer has been relieved of duties involving prisoner discharge pending an investigation.
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