This is the moment convicted paedophile Hadush Kebatu was filmed walking through east London the day after he was mistakenly released from prison.
Late on Saturday night, the Metropolitan Police confirmed the sex offender’s last known location was Dalston in Hackney, east London, as the manhunt for the dangerous criminal intensifies.
Kebatu had previously alighted a train travelling from Chelmsford in Essex to Stratford, also in the capital’s east, according to police tracking his movements.
In the nine-second-long clip obtained by investigators, Kebatu can be seen walking up a flight of stairs behind a woman. He then follows her off-screen before the footage ends.
It remains unclear exactly where within Dalston the video was captured, but the Metropolitan Police has confirmed the location and is appealing for witnesses who may have seen the convicted sex offender.
Distinctive Bag Identified
Police have urged the public to look out for Kebatu’s “distinctive bag with avocados on”, in which he is carrying his belongings as he evades capture.
The unusual pattern on the bag could prove crucial in helping members of the public identify the fugitive sex offender, with authorities warning people not to approach him but to call 999 immediately if spotted.
The Met has issued repeated appeals for information about Kebatu’s whereabouts since his erroneous release from custody, describing him as a significant threat to public safety.
Mistaken Release From Custody
Kebatu, who was convicted of sexual offences in Epping, was released from prison in error, prompting an urgent manhunt across London and the surrounding counties.
The circumstances surrounding his mistaken release remain under investigation, with serious questions being asked about how such a significant error could occur involving a convicted paedophile.
His release has sparked widespread concern among local communities, particularly in areas where he has been sighted, with parents expressing alarm about a dangerous sex offender being at large.
The Prison Service has not yet commented publicly on the administrative failures that led to Kebatu’s release, though an internal review is expected to be launched.
Travel Route Traced
Police have been able to trace Kebatu’s movements from Chelmsford in Essex into east London via public transport, suggesting he has been using the rail network to move around the capital.
His journey from Chelmsford to Stratford indicates he may have connections or intended destinations in east London, though investigators have not disclosed whether he has known associates in the area.
The fact he was filmed in Dalston, several miles from Stratford, suggests he has been moving around the borough of Hackney since his arrival in the capital.
Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage from stations along his route and are appealing to transport staff and passengers who may have seen him to come forward with information.
Public Safety Warning
The Metropolitan Police has emphasised that members of the public should not approach Kebatu under any circumstances due to his history of sexual offences and the danger he poses.
Anyone who sees him or recognises the distinctive avocado-patterned bag should immediately dial 999 and inform officers of his location and direction of travel.
Police have assured the public they are deploying significant resources to locate and apprehend Kebatu as quickly as possible, with officers conducting searches in areas where he has been spotted.
The force is working closely with British Transport Police to monitor railway stations and public transport hubs across London and Essex.
Local councillors in Hackney have called for urgent answers about how Kebatu came to be released and what safeguards failed to prevent a convicted sex offender from walking free.
Community groups have organised meetings to discuss safety concerns, particularly for vulnerable women and children in areas where Kebatu has been sighted.
The manhunt continues with heightened urgency as each passing hour increases the risk posed by a convicted paedophile at large in one of Britain’s most densely populated areas.
Anyone with information about Kebatu’s whereabouts is urged to contact police immediately on 999, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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