Shoulders will have begun to fall in Number 10 today after the news broke that the convicted sex offender somehow released in error has been arrested and is back in custody.

But whether Hadush Kebatu is behind bars or not, and whether he is deported or not, the political damage has been done.

According to government figures from July, 262 prisoners were released in error in England and Wales between March 2024 and March 2025, up from 115 the previous year, a 128% increase.

And there are several previous incidences of dangerous sex attackers being mistakenly released from prison and then going on to attack other women while still at large - just google William Fernandez or Joseph McCann.

Image: Hadush Kebatu, jailed for sexual assaults in Epping, was released in error. Pic: Essex

See Full Page