Epping migrant who sexually assaulted girl, 14, boarded London-bound train after being RELEASED from jail accidentally

Kebatu made national headlines after touching and trying to kiss the schoolgirl in the Essex town on July 7 and 8.

A Prison Service spokesman told GB News: "We are urgently working with police to return an offender to custody following a release in error at HMP Chelmsford. Public protection is our top priority and we have launched an investigation into this incident."

A Prison Service officer has been removed from their duties, GB News understands.

There is currently a major police presence in Chelmsford, with a helicopter flying over the city centre.

Justice Secretary David Lammy said: "I am appalled at the release in error at HMP Chelmsford.

"We are urgently working with the police to track him down and I’ve ordered an urgent investigation. Kebatu must be deported for his crimes, not on our streets."

A spokesman from Essex Police told GB News: "We were informed by the prison service at 12.57pm today (Friday October 24) of an error this morning surrounding the release of an individual.

"As a result of that, we have launched a search operation to locate them and are working closely with partner agencies.

"These fast-paced enquiries have shown that the man boarded a London-bound train at Chelmsford Railway Station at 12.41pm.

"We understand the concern the public would have regarding this situation and can assure you we have officers working to urgently locate and detain him."

Kebatu told two teenagers he wanted to "have a baby with each of them" and attempted to kiss them, before going on to put his hand on one girl’s thighs and stroking her hair during incidents in Epping town centre.

The 38-year-old, who was a "teacher of sports" in his home country, was also found to have sexually assaulted a woman by trying to kiss her, putting his hand on her leg and telling her she was pretty. He carried out the attacks just eight days after arriving in Britain on a small boat.

The sentencing hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last month was told Kebatu wants to be deported after serving his time in prison, with his defence lawyer Molly Dyas adding it is a view he held "before the trial."

The court heard that the defendant also told a probation officer that the "United Kingdom was too strict" after being convicted of sexual assault.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told The Sun: "Remember: they told you that local mums who protested outside the hotel where this sex attacker stayed were the problem."

Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford Marie Goldman said: "I am closely following developments and am in contact with the police and the prison.

"The police must do everything they can to ensure that this man is returned to custody immediately so that he is deported at once.

"Once the manhunt is over, there must be a full, rapid public inquiry into how this happened. "This is utterly unacceptable and has potentially put my constituents in danger."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "The Epping hotel migrant sex attacker has been accidentally freed rather than deported.

"He is now walking the streets of Essex. Britain is broken."

WATCH: Epping hotel migrant Hadush Kebatu spotted speaking to locals after accidental prison release

The Prime Minister said he was "appalled" at the accidental release of sex offender Hadush Kebatu.

Sir Keir Starmer said: "The mistaken release at HMP Chelmsford is totally unacceptable. I am appalled that it has happened and it’s being investigated.

"The police are working urgently to track him down and my Government is supporting them. This man must be caught and deported for his crimes."